Risk meaning

What does “risk” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“risk” is a noun and verb with 6 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune.

risk

a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
“drinking alcohol is a health hazard”
Synonymshazard jeopardy peril endangerment
a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
“he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime”
“there was a danger he would do the wrong thing”
Synonymsperil danger
the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
Synonymsrisk of infection
the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
Synonymsrisk of exposure

expose to a chance of loss or damage
“We risked losing a lot of money in this venture”
“Why risk your life?”
Synonymsput on the line lay on the line
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
“When you buy these stocks you are gambling”
Synonymsgamble chance hazard take chances adventure run a risk take a chance

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University