risk
//ɹɪsk//
Forms
- Plural
- risks
- present (v1)
- risk
- past (v2)
- risked
- past participle (v3)
- risked
- present participle
- risking
- 3rd person singular
- risks
Definitions
1.The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event.
- There is risk of being brutalized, arrested, imprisoned and tortured, all because I want you to know the truth about this matter.
- What crop(s) to plant, how much area to devote to each crop, and how much risk to take with respect to rainfall during the season are some of the decisions that must be made.
2.The magnitude of possible loss consequent to a decision or event.
- Will they find the prospect of greater risk a cause for concern, rather than a gift from the right?
- SEAC acknowledged that their recommendation was a somewhat uneasy compromise between the desire to protect the public from a small chance of a big risk and the desire not to ruin an industry, probably unnecessarily.
3.The potential negative effect of an event, determined by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring with its magnitude should it occur.
- Smokers have an increased risk of miscarriage.
4.A possible adverse event or outcome.
- Smokers have an increased risk of miscarriage.
1.To incur risk of (an unwanted or negative outcome).
- These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risking serious injury.
2.To incur risk of harming or jeopardizing.
- England captain David Beckham has warned Wayne Rooney not to risk his long-term future by rushing his return from injury.
3.To incur risk as a result of (doing something).
- After coming to New York, I decided to risk cycling again.
- Because of the wide range of styles on this album, it's hard to pin down the genre. I will risk suggesting folk-rock in an effort to be helpful.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #666
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From earlier risque, from Middle French risque, from Old Italian risco (“risk”) (modern Italian rischio) and rischiare (“to run into danger”). Displaced native Old English pleoh (“risk”) and plēon (“to risk”).
Speculation on earlier roots