risk

noun

UK /rɪsk/

Word Forms

singular	risk
plural	risks

1
countable/uncountable the possibility that something unpleasant or dangerous might happen
Most major changes involve some risk.
risk of:
The risk of a major nuclear accident must be taken seriously.
the risk of doing something:
The risk of developing lung cancer from smoking is a serious one.
risk (that):
There is no risk that the virus can be transferred from patient to doctor.
risk to:
The risks to consumers from these products need to be fully analysed.
reduce/increase the risk of something:
You can reduce the risk of heart disease by exercising regularly.
an element of risk (=some risk):
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk.
worth the risk:
We might get away with it, but it isn’t really worth the risk.
Synonyms and related words
Risks, threats and dangers
risk
hazard
menace
1. 1a
  countable someone or something that is likely to be a danger or problem in the future
  risk to:
  The council says the waste is not a risk to the public.
  health risk (=something that could be a danger to people’s health):
  Some of these restaurants are a clear health risk to diners.
  fire risk (=something that could cause a fire):
  All these books and papers are a real fire risk.
  Large quantities of such material constitute a potential fire risk.
  pose a risk (to someone) (=be a risk):
  Such prisoners pose no real risk to the public.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that cause worry or problems
  a bone of contention
  a hostage to fortune
  a nail in the coffin
  Synonyms and related words
  People who cause trouble or problems
  troublemaker
  nuisance
  trial
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with risk
▪ calculated, grave, greater, high, increased, potential, real, serious, significant, unacceptable
Verbs frequently used with risk as the object
▪ avoid, carry, eliminate, entail, increase, involve, minimize, pose, reduce, run, take

phrases

a good/bad risk

at risk

at the risk of doing something

at your own risk

run the risk (of something)

take a risk

risk

noun

US /rɪsk/

Word Forms

singular	risk
plural	risks

1
countable/uncountable the possibility that something unpleasant or dangerous might happen
Most major changes involve some risk.
risk of:
The risk of a major nuclear accident must be taken seriously.
the risk of doing something:
The risk of developing lung cancer from smoking is a serious one.
risk (that):
There is no risk that the virus can be transferred from patient to doctor.
risk to:
The risks to consumers from these products need to be fully analyzed.
reduce/increase the risk of something:
You can reduce the risk of heart disease by exercising regularly.
an element of risk (=some risk):
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk.
worth the risk:
We might get away with it, but is it really worth the risk?
Synonyms and related words
Risks, threats and dangers
risk
hazard
menace
1. 1a
  countable someone or something that is likely to be a danger or problem in the future
  risk to:
  The agency claimed that the chemical spill is not a risk to the public.
  health risk (=something that could be a danger to people’s health):
  Some of these restaurants are a clear health risk to diners.
  fire risk (=something that could cause a fire)
  Large quantities of such material constitute a potential fire risk.
  pose a risk (to someone) (=be a risk):
  Such prisoners pose no real risk to the public.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that cause worry or problems
  a bone of contention
  a hostage to fortune
  a nail in the coffin
  Synonyms and related words
  People who cause trouble or problems
  troublemaker
  nuisance
  trial
Collocates
Adjectives frequently used with risk
▪ calculated, grave, greater, high, increased, potential, real, serious, significant, unacceptable
Verbs frequently used with risk as the object
▪ avoid, carry, eliminate, entail, increase, involve, minimize, pose, reduce, run, take

phrases

a good/bad risk

at risk

at the risk of doing something

at your own risk

run the risk (of something)

take a risk

risk

verb transitive

UK /rɪsk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	risk
he/she/it	risks
present participle	risking
past tense	risked
past participle	risked

1
to do something that makes it possible for something important or valuable to be destroyed, damaged, or lost
Do you realize how much you’re risking by supporting him in this?
risk something on something:
It’s a lot of money to risk on such an uncertain venture.
Synonyms and related words
To take risks
risk
dare
jeopardize
1. 1a
  to be in a situation in which something unpleasant or dangerous could happen to you
  risk death:
  Reports indicated that up to 4,000,000 people risked death from starvation.
  risk doing something:
  We don’t want to risk becoming involved in a civil war.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take risks
  risk
  dare
  jeopardize
2
to do something although you know that something bad could happen as a result
She risked a quick glance back over her shoulder.
risk doing something:
Do you think I should risk sending him a letter?
risk it (=risk doing something):
It was a no-parking zone, but I decided to risk it anyway.
Synonyms and related words
To take risks
risk
dare
jeopardize

phrases

risk your life/neck

risk

verb transitive

US /rɪsk/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	risk
he/she/it	risks
present participle	risking
past tense	risked
past participle	risked

1
to do something that makes it possible for something important or valuable to be destroyed, damaged, or lost
Do you realize how much you’re risking by supporting him in this?
risk something on something:
It’s a lot of money to risk on a start-up company.
Synonyms and related words
To take risks
risk
dare
jeopardize
1. 1a
  to be in a situation in which something unpleasant or dangerous could happen to you
  risk death:
  Reports indicated that up to 4,000,000 people risked death from starvation.
  risk doing something:
  We don’t want to risk becoming involved in a civil war.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take risks
  risk
  dare
  jeopardize
2
to do something although you know that something bad could happen as a result
She risked a quick glance back over her shoulder.
risk doing something:
Do you think I should risk sending him a letter?
risk it (=risk doing something):
It was a no-parking zone, but I decided to risk it anyway.
Synonyms and related words
To take risks
risk
dare
jeopardize

phrases

risk your life/neck

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