dangerous

1 of 2

adjective

dan·​ger·​ous ˈdān-jə-rəs 

ˈdān-jərs, 

-zhrəs

1

: involving possible injury, pain, harm, or loss : characterized by danger

a dangerous job

2

: able or likely to inflict injury or harm

a dangerous man

dangerously adverb

dangerousness noun

dangerousness

2 of 2

noun

dan·​ger·​ous·​ness ˈdān-jə-rəs-nəs 

ˈdān-jərs-, 

-zhrəs-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being dangerous

Synonyms of dangerous

Adjective

• hazardous
• risky
• perilous
• serious
• unsafe

Choose the Right Synonym for dangerous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of dangerous in a Sentence

Adjective

She got into a car accident while driving through a dangerous intersection.

He often drives at dangerous speeds.

The city can be a dangerous place to live.

The storms may cause dangerous flooding.

He is wanted for assault with a dangerous weapon.

the most dangerous of drugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Emergency responders say the toddler's death is a tragic reminder of how dangerous the water is, especially at this time of year when peak water flows are being recorded. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 4 June 2026

Delisle had seen enough to know that these currents were overwhelming, even dangerous at times. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

But some researchers who were involved in the network say the cuts weakened relationships with experts abroad that had been fostered over years, undercutting research collaborations on dangerous diseases like Ebola. —Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 June 2026

While investigating Maciel’s death for her client, Armand is caught up in a dangerous conspiracy — one that might be connected to her own past. —Helen Acevedo, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see danger entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dangerous

• armed and dangerous
• dangerous ground/territory
• dangerous waters
• on dangerous ground

Kids Definition

dangerous

adjective

dan·​ger·​ous ˈdānj-(ə-)rəs 

1

: exposing to or involving danger

a dangerous mission

2

: able or likely to cause injury

dangerous weapons

dangerously adverb

dangerousness noun

Legal Definition

dangerous

adjective

dan·​ger·​ous

1

: creating a risk of bodily injury

a dangerous condition of a public building

2

: able or likely to inflict especially serious bodily injury

a dangerous criminal with no regard for human life

a dangerous animal

also : deadly

3

: likely to engage in repeated criminal activity

a dangerous offender

Note: The activity that an offender is likely to engage in need not involve violence in order for the offender to be deemed dangerous.