risk

1 of 2

noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss or injury : peril

prefer not to expose my money to risk

There's no lifeguard. Swim at your own risk. [=with the understanding that you are responsible for our own safety]

2

: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard

a risk to national security

Smoking is a risk to your health.

3

a

: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract

also : the degree of probability of such loss

b

: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

a driver who is considered a high risk

c

: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source

war risk

4

: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value

All investments involve an element of risk.

riskless

ˈrisk-ləs 

adjective

risk

2 of 2

verb

risked; risking; risks

transitive verb

1

: to expose to hazard or danger

risked her life

2

: to incur the risk or danger of

risked breaking his neck

risker noun

Phrases

at risk

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility

patients at risk of infection

—usually hyphenated when used before a noun

programs to support at-risk youth

at the risk of

: despite the possibility of

At the risk of sounding rude, can I ask your age?

run a risk or take a risk

: to do something that may result in loss, failure, etc.

not afraid of running risks

took a risk with the investment

run the risk of

: to do something that may result in (something bad)

You run the risk of an accident when you speed.

Synonyms of risk

Noun

• threat
• danger

Verb

• venture
• hazard
• confront
• tempt
• face
• chance

Examples of risk in a Sentence

Noun

I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk.

The degree of risk is minimal.

All investments have an element of risk.

The trip didn't seem like much of a risk.

I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment.

There is a risk of liver damage with this medication.

Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident.

We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health.

To me, skydiving is not worth the risk.

Smoking is a risk to your lungs.

Verb

She risked her life to save her children.

He risked all his money on starting his own business.

He risked breaking his neck.

She's risking being considered too sentimental.

The country risked a war.

brave people who risked being killed to help others

I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map.

The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars.

It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Letting the subsidies expire also presents political risks for Republicans as open enrollment season has already shown how high insurance premiums will jump without them. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2025

This risk decreases as the storm moves away. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025

Verb

At the time, some human rights experts voiced concerns that his presidency risked backsliding on the democratic gains made since Suharto’s authoritarian regime. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025

Make an entry and risk up to $100 after signing up with this offer from Boom Fantasy. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French risque, from Italian risco

First Known Use

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing risk

• assigned risk
• at one's own risk
• at the risk of
• at the risk of (doing something)
• at your own risk
• bad credit risk
• element of risk
• extreme risk law
• extreme risk protection order
• good credit risk
• high-risk
• low-risk
• risk capital
• risk factor
• risk it
• risk life and limb
• risk one's life
• risk one's neck
• risk-taker
• risk-taking
• security risk
• systemic risk

Rhymes for risk

• bisque
• brisk
• disc
• disk
• fisc
• fisk
• frisk
• whisk
• basilisk
• videodisc

Kids Definition

risk

1 of 2 noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss or injury

2

: someone or something that presents a risk

a bad risk

a good credit risk

risk

2 of 2 verb

1

: to expose to danger

risked her life

2

: to take the risk or danger of

risked breaking his neck

Medical Definition

risk

noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death

hypertension increases the risk of stroke

2

: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment

a poor surgical risk

Legal Definition

risk

noun

1

a

: possibility of loss or injury

b

: liability for loss or injury if it occurs

the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier

—Uniform Commercial Code

the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer

—Case & Comment

2

a

: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss

also : the degree of probability of such loss compare peril

b

: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

a poor risk for insurance

c

: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source

a war risk

riskless adjective