adventurous

adjective

ad·​ven·​tur·​ous əd-ˈven-ch(ə-)rəs How to pronounce adventurous (audio)
1
a
: disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown
an adventurous explorer
b
: innovative
an adventurous artistic style
2
: characterized by unknown dangers and risks
an adventurous journey
adventurously adverb
adventurousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for adventurous

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of adventurous in a Sentence

The island attracts adventurous travelers. He is an adventurous cook who is always trying new recipes. Her design is an adventurous departure from what we usually see. They have an adventurous lifestyle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But in case an adventurous dish doesn’t sit well with you, Fischer suggests keeping Pepto Bismol or another stomach aid at the ready to provide some relief. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2025 These two siblings have adventurous hearts, enjoy school and share one wish — to live together in a supportive home where the entire family spends time together. The Star, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025 Take a hike through Cloudland Canyon State Park, rock climb or zip-line, and for the very adventurous type, hang-gliding and skydiving are options to get your heart rate going. Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 Recently, growing numbers of Russians have been heading for places that remain off-limits to all but the most adventurous Western travelers, including North Korea, Iran, and Afghanistan. Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for adventurous

Word History

Etymology

alteration (with -d- restored from Latin) of Middle English aventurous "occurring by chance, daring, seeking new exploits," borrowed from Anglo-French, from aventure adventure entry 1 + -ous -ous

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of adventurous was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adventurous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adventurous. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

adventurous

adjective
ad·​ven·​tur·​ous əd-ˈvench-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce adventurous (audio)
1
: ready to take risks or to deal with the new and unknown
adventurous explorers
2
: having unknown dangers and risks
an adventurous voyage
adventurously adverb
adventurousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on adventurous

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