adventure

1 of 2

noun

ad·​ven·​ture əd-ˈven-chər 

1

a

: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks

a book recounting his many bold adventures

b

: the encountering of risks

the spirit of adventure

2

: an exciting or remarkable experience

an adventure in exotic dining

They were looking for adventure.

3

: an enterprise involving financial risk

wanted to pay off her debts before embarking on any new financial adventures

adventure

2 of 2

verb

adventured; adventuring əd-ˈven-ch(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to expose to danger or loss : venture

… those who adventured their persons and lives risked all they had for a slender reward.

—Joseph Conrad

2

: to venture upon (see venture entry 1 sense 2) : try

… the task was always one of great difficulty and art—so much so, that it could seldom be adventured in rough or windy weather.

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

intransitive verb

1

: to proceed despite risk

… people going away to adventure upon the sea …

—Virginia Woolf

2

: to take the risk

… I would adventure for such merchandise

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Noun

• emprise
• experience
• exploit
• gest
• geste
• happening
• time

Verb

• compromise
• endanger
• gamble (with)
• hazard
• imperil
• jeopard
• jeopardize
• menace
• peril
• risk
• venture

Examples of adventure in a Sentence

Noun

The field trip was an adventure for the students.

He told us about his camping adventures.

They were looking for adventure.

Verb

adventured all his savings in a very risky investment scheme

if I had to adventure a guess, I'd say she's about 35

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her various adventures, which frequently involve puzzling-solving, fighting enemies and exploring hostile environments to acquire ancient artifacts, have spanned nearly 20 games, as well as comics and novels. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Sep. 2023

This makes the relaxed-fitting cargo pants incredibly comfortable to wear on long travel days, as well as on any outdoor adventure. —Rachael Green, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023

Its clean silhouette works well in a range of environments, from outdoor adventures to city commutes. —Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2023

And Musk is bringing us into a future of electric vehicles and space adventures — as well as blowing a few things up, including Twitter. —Donna Wares, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2023

But beyond those niche requirements, the Series 9 is ready to accompany you on every adventure. —Jon Bitner, wsj.com, 22 Sep. 2023

In addition to Spy Kids, PenaVega is well-known for her role in the 2004 teen comedy film Sleepover about a group of friends who go on an adventure together before entering high school. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023

Trying to make it through the crowd and in the front door was an adventure in itself. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023

But she's pressured to take one last adventure to rescue a young girl. —Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2023

Verb

Why Trust Travel + Leisure has extensive experience adventuring with her pup. —Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2023

In-the-know travelers flock here looking for an increasingly rare vintage seaside vibe, adventures into the state’s famed Boundary Waters, and local-yet-world-class art. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2023

Trainers who buy a ticket will split their day between exploring Randall’s Island Park and adventuring throughout New York City. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023

The school is long gone, but the adventuring spirit remains, and now intrepid travelers have a sophisticated new place to stay. —Martha Cheng, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023

When adventuring outdoors, a hard-sided cooler is going to be your best option for durability and ice retention. —Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 26 July 2023

Additionally, in Barbie’s flying theater, guests will adventure to the many terrains her career has taken her to, from outer space to deep underwater. —Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2023

Scott has worked to curate the perfect itinerary filled with the best food, sites, and adventures the city has to offer. —Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 20 July 2023

Neligan's Bar Another option in Dingle's vibrant nocturnal scene, Neligan's Bar, which has remained in the same family for generations, is a great place to grab a pint or a glass of whiskey, chill out, and listen to live music after a full day of adventuring around the rugged peninsula. —Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English aventure, adventure (with -d- restored from Latin) "fortune, chance, occurrence, risk, enterprise, wonder," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Vulgar Latin *adventūra "what will happen," going back to Latin, feminine singular (originally neuter plural) of adventūrus, future participle of advenīre "to arrive at, reach, arise, develop" — more at advent

Verb

alteration (with -d- restored from Latin) of Middle English aventuren, auntren "to happen, expose to risk, take a chance," borrowed from Anglo-French aventurer, verb derivative of aventure "chance, occurrence, risk" — more at adventure entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing adventure

• adventure playground

• adventure playground

Kids Definition

adventure

1 of 2 noun

ad·​ven·​ture əd-ˈven-chər 

1

: an action involving unknown risks or dangers

2

: the encountering of risks

the spirit of adventure

3

: an unusual or exciting experience

the field trip was an adventure

adventure

2 of 2 verb

adventured; adventuring

-ˈvench-(ə-)riŋ

1

: risk entry 2 sense 1, venture

2

: to venture upon

explorers adventuring the wilderness