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

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

Noun

• adventure
• chance
• crapshoot
• enterprise
• flier
• flyer
• flutter [chiefly British]
• gamble
• speculation
• throw

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

Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025

Authorities said Decker may have scoped out a hiding location before venturing into the wilderness. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 7 June 2025

Noun

In a venture landscape where investors are chasing AI, Raanan continues to bet on winning security upstarts. —Truebridge Capital, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025

Slated for release in theaters on October 17, Good Fortune introduces Reeves as Gabriel, a well-meaning but rather inept angel who decides to intervene in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Ansari) and a wealthy venture capitalist (Rogen). —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 May 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