venture

1 of 2

verb

ven·​ture ˈven(t)-shər 

ventured; venturing ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to proceed especially in the face of danger

transitive verb

1

: to expose to hazard : risk, gamble

ventured a buck or two on the race

2

: to undertake the risks and dangers of : brave

ventured the stormy sea

3

: to offer at the risk of rebuff, rejection, or censure

venture an opinion

venturer

ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)rər 

noun

venture

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger

especially : a speculative business enterprise

b

: a venturesome act

2

: something (such as money or property) at stake in a speculative venture

3

obsolete : destiny, fortune, chance

Phrases

at a venture

: at random

a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king

—1 Kings 22:34 (King James Version)

Synonyms

Verb

• endanger
• risk
• threaten
• adventure

Noun

• gamble
• speculation
• chance
• adventure

Examples of venture in a Sentence

Verb

We ventured out into the woods.

He nervously ventured out onto the ice.

The pups never ventured far from home.

The company is venturing into the computer software industry.

a writer venturing on a new project

The group's lead singer is now venturing on a solo career.

It's important to plan carefully before venturing on a long journey.

Noun

a venture into the unknown

their latest business venture failed big-time

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For those eager to venture farther, the picturesque village of Limone sul Garda is an easy 30-minute drive along scenic lakeside roads. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025

The Gators ventured into the red zone four times, but had that single touchdown to show for it. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025

Noun

Rise of Asian venture capital In the early 2000s, pioneering firms like GGV Capital (Singapore) and IDG Capital (Beijing) imported Silicon Valley’s venture playbook—multistage funding, board guidance and equity-for-pay. —Rich Karlgaard, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Bungalow is the second media venture Somaiya has launched in the last two years. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English venteren, aphetic form of aventuren, auntren "to occur by chance, expose to risk, take a chance" — more at adventure entry 2

Noun

Middle English, aphetic form of aventure — more at adventure entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing venture

• at a venture
• venture capital

Rhymes for venture

• bencher
• denture
• quencher
• trencher
• adventure
• debenture
• indenture
• misadventure
• peradventure

Kids Definition

venture

1 of 2 verb

ven·​ture ˈven-chər 

ventured; venturing ˈvench-(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to expose to risk

ventured a dollar on the lottery

2

: to face the risks and dangers of

ventured the stormy sea

3

: to offer at the risk of being criticized

venture an opinion

venture to disagree

4

: to go ahead in spite of danger

ventured down the cliff

venturer

ˈvench-(ə)-rər 

noun

venture

2 of 2 noun

: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger

especially : a speculative business enterprise

Legal Definition

venture

noun

ven·​ture

ˈven-chər

: an undertaking involving chance, risk, or danger

especially : a speculative business enterprise see also joint venture