venture
/ˈvɛntʃə
/noun
1A risky or daring journey or undertaking: pioneering ventures into little-known waters...
- ‘This was always a risky venture but it has been done in style thanks to the dedication and commitment of all involved,’ he said.
- I still think I'm right, but it's probably too risky a venture.
- Allowing bloggers be the reviewers is potentially a risky venture, depending on how powerful you think blogs really are.
1.1A business enterprise, typically one that involves risk: a joint venture between two aircraft manufacturers...
- Wait for clarity and totality before starting a new business venture.
- He's starting a new business venture here.
- The goals of Bard's collaborative ventures were established jointly with our partners abroad.
Synonyms
enterprise, undertaking, project, scheme, pursuit, operation, endeavour, campaign, activity, act, deed, move, measure, task, exploit, mission, adventure, trial;
speculation, plunge, gamble, leap in the dark, experiment, crusade
formal essay
verb
1 [no object, with adverbial] Undertake a risky or daring journey or course of action: she ventured out into the blizzard...
- He of course, ventured out there everyday, occasionally dragging Amina along.
- I really knew I'd made progress when I ventured out the gate and down the trail aboard Topper.
- I ventured out to the grocery store and it was nearly deserted.
Synonyms
travel, journey, go, move, proceed, progress, set out, set forth, rove;
wander, stray, drift, migrate
1.1 [with object] Expose to the risk of loss: agents for other people’s money, they do not venture their own capital...
- The general point that emerges from these thought experiments is that much may be ventured, at great risk, for very small gains.
- No one would venture such capital without some chance of generating a return on investment.
- If a man is venturing his own money, this is the only risk which is relevant.
2 [no object, with infinitive] Dare to do or say something that may be considered audacious (often used as a polite expression of hesitation or apology): may I venture to add a few comments? [with object]: he ventured the opinion that Putt was insane...
- Apparently not, or so I was told by my wife before I had even ventured to express an opinion or a comment on the subject.
- Dare I venture to ‘guesstimate’ a not inconsiderable number!
- Ever noticed how a woman is ignored if she dares to venture an opinion on the weekend's football game?
Synonyms
put forward, volunteer, advance, submit, proffer, offer, air, bring up, suggest, propound, posit, propose, moot, ventilate, table, broach, lodge, introduce, put up, present;
conjecture, speculate, postulate
formal opine, essay
dare, make so bold as, be so bold as, presume, have the temerity, have the effrontery, have the audacity, have the nerve, be brave enough, have the courage, go so far as;
take the liberty of
informal stick one's neck out, go out on a limb
North American informal take a flyer
Phrases
at a venture
nothing ventured, nothing gained
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'adventure', also 'risk the loss of'): shortening of adventure.