risk meaning and definition

RISK noun

Definition of risk (noun)

1. a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
   • "drinking alcohol is a health hazard"
   • synonyms: endangerment, hazard, jeopardy, peril
2. 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"
   • synonyms: danger, peril
3. the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
   • synonyms: risk of infection
4. the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
   • synonyms: risk of exposure

RISK verb

Definition of risk (verb)

1. expose to a chance of loss or damage
   • "We risked losing a lot of money in this venture"; "Why risk your life?"; "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
2. take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
   • "When you buy these stocks you are gambling"
   • synonyms: adventure, chance, gamble, hazard, run a risk, take a chance, take chances