Library / English Dictionary

RISK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury

Example:

there was a danger he would do the wrong thing

Synonyms:

danger; peril; risk

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("risk" is a kind of...):

venture (any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "risk"):

chance (a risk involving danger)

crapshoot (a risky and uncertain venture)

gamble (a risky act or venture)

Derivation:

risk (take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome)

risk (expose to a chance of loss or damage)

risky (involving risk or danger)

risky (not financially safe or secure)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The probability of being exposed to an infectious agent

Synonyms:

risk; risk of exposure

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("risk" is a kind of...):

chance; probability (a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred

Synonyms:

risk; risk of infection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("risk" is a kind of...):

chance; probability (a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

Example:

drinking alcohol is a health hazard

Synonyms:

endangerment; hazard; jeopardy; peril; risk

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("risk" is a kind of...):

danger (a cause of pain or injury or loss)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "risk"):

health hazard (hazard to the health of those exposed to it)

moral hazard ((economics) the lack of any incentive to guard against a risk when you are protected against it (as by insurance))

occupational hazard (any condition of a job that can result in illness or injury)

sword of Damocles (a constant and imminent peril)

Derivation:

risk (expose to a chance of loss or damage)

risky (involving risk or danger)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

Example:

When you buy these stocks you are gambling

Synonyms:

adventure; chance; gamble; hazard; risk; run a risk; take a chance; take chances

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "risk" is one way to...):

assay; attempt; essay; seek; try (make an effort or attempt)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "risk"):

go for broke (risk everything in one big effort)

luck it; luck through (act by relying on one's luck)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

risk (a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Expose to a chance of loss or damage

Example:

She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong

Synonyms:

lay on the line; put on the line; risk

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "risk" is one way to...):

assay; attempt; essay; seek; try (make an effort or attempt)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "risk"):

adventure; hazard; jeopardize; stake; venture (put at risk)

bell the cat (take a risk; perform a daring act)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Derivation:

risk (a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury)

risk (a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune)

Credits

 Context examples: 

They would run a great risk and gain nothing by taking him.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Pluto is about to show you that you must find a way forward even though you feel the action has risks.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

People who eat eggs every day should pay extra attention, since greater consumption means higher risk.

(Eggs No Longer Part of a Healthy Diet?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

“I shall not take any risks,” I said.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A measure of the risk of a certain event happening.

(Absolute risk, NCI Dictionary)

While a plant-based diet is generally considered healthier than a meat-based diet in preventing the risk of diabetes, not all meats affect the risk equally.

(Eating Meat Linked to Higher Risk of Diabetes, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

But I see that the enemy’s preparations have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Many of the major health risks that men face - like colon cancer or heart disease - can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis.

(Men's Health, NIH)

You’ve done splendid work and taken risks, and I can’t forget it.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“It is my trade to risk my skin,” growled the archer; but none the less he thrust his quiver over his hip again and turned his face for the west.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)