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 Drone Photo Awards Israeli photographer Gilad Topaz was awarded the overall winner of the Drone Photo Awards for his ‘Drifting in Space’ image narrating his adventurous experience aboard an icebreaker in the frigid waters of Sweden’s Baltic Sea. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 And the adventurous gardener can choose from a wide diversity of both native and exotic species, and plants that mature at as little as 6 inches tall to a towering 6 feet in height. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024 Venus will slip into Sagittarius that same day, bringing an adventurous, free-spirited energy to your seventh house of partnerships. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024 Some are new versions of familiar archetypes like the adventurous proto-hobbit Nori (Markella Kavenagh) and the gruff dwarf Durin IV (Owain Arthur). Christian Holub, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adventurous 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adventurous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near adventurous

Cite this Entry

“Adventurous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adventurous. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

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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