Risk
nounThe possibility of loss, harm, or an unwanted outcome.
How to spell risk
4 letters · 1 syllable
How to pronounce risk
What does risk mean?
- nounThe possibility of loss, harm, or an unwanted outcome.
- verbTo expose someone or something to the possibility of harm or loss.
Risk in a sentence
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noun
The investment carries a significant risk of loss.
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verb
She would not risk her savings on such a wild scheme.
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noun
Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease.
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verb
Firefighters often risk their lives to save others.
Where does risk come from?
Language of origin: French
The word risk entered English in the 1600s from the French risque, which in turn came from the Italian risco or rischio, meaning danger or hazard. The Italian term began life in the world of seafaring and commerce, describing the perils that merchants and sailors faced when ships and cargo were exposed to the open sea. The deeper origin is debated: some trace it to a Latin sense connected with cliffs or reefs that ships might strike, while others link it to a verb meaning to dare. Because of that uncertainty the precise root is not settled, though the commercial and maritime path into English is clear. The early spelling kept the French -que ending for a time before settling into the simpler four-letter form we use today.
How the word is built
- risk (single root; from French risque, originally an Italian maritime term)
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