risk

Risk is the possibility or chance of loss, danger or injury.

(noun)

  1. An example of risk is a teenage boy on a car insurance policy.
  2. An example of risk is a vacation in the Middle East during a war.

Risk is defined as to expose someone or something to a dangerous situation.

(verb)

An example of risk is going into a burning building to save someone.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See risk in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the chance of injury, damage, or loss; dangerous chance; hazard
  2. Insurance
    1. the chance of loss
    2. the degree of probability of loss
    3. the amount of possible loss to the insuring company
    4. a person or thing with reference to the risk involved in providing insurance
    5. the type of loss that a policy covers, as fire, storm, etc.

Origin: Fr risque < It risco, risico < risicare, to risk < VL *risicare

transitive verb

  1. to expose to the chance of injury, damage, or loss; hazard: to risk one's life
  2. to incur the risk of: to risk a fight

Origin: Fr risquer

Related Forms:

See risk in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger.
  2. A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard: “the usual risks of the desert: rattlesnakes, the heat, and lack of water” (Frank Clancy).
  3. a. The danger or probability of loss to an insurer.
    b. The amount that an insurance company stands to lose.
  4. a. The variability of returns from an investment.
    b. The chance of nonpayment of a debt.
  5. One considered with respect to the possibility of loss: a poor risk.
transitive verb risked, risk·ing, risks
  1. To expose to a chance of loss or damage; hazard. See Synonyms at endanger.
  2. To incur the risk of: His action risked a sharp reprisal.

Origin:

Origin: French risque

Origin: , from Italian risco, rischio

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Related Forms:

  • riskˈer noun

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