Meaning & use
the term risk
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The possibility that something bad or dangerous may happen.
Grammar: Use 'a risk' for a specific danger, or 'risk' without an article for the general idea.
Patterns
- risk of something
- risk that something happens
- a high risk of
- take a risk
There is a risk of flooding after such heavy rain.
Smoking increases the risk of cancer.
The company took a big risk by launching the product early.
nouncountable
A person or thing that is likely to cause problems or danger.
Grammar: Often used with 'to': a risk to health.
Patterns
- a risk to something
- be a risk
The old bridge is a risk to public safety.
He is a risk to himself and others.
verbtransitive
To put something valuable in danger of being lost or harmed.
Grammar: Takes an object: risk your health; risk losing money.
Patterns
- risk something
- risk doing something
He risked his life to save the child.
Don't risk losing your job over a silly argument.
Word forms
| plural | risks |
|---|---|
| third person singular | risks |
| past tense | risked |
| past participle | risked |
| -ing form | risking |
Common combinations
- at risk
- Many species are at risk of extinction.
- take a risk
- Sometimes you have to take a risk to succeed.
- health risk
- Obesity is a serious health risk.
- risk assessment
- The company carried out a risk assessment before the event.
- run the risk of
- If you don't study, you run the risk of failing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- danger
- Danger is a more direct threat; risk is the chance that something bad might happen.
- chance
- Chance can be positive or negative; risk usually suggests a possible bad result.
- hazard
- Hazard is a specific source of danger, often used in technical or safety contexts.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: the term risk or reward?
the term risk vs reward
Reward is the good result you might get; risk is the chance of a bad result. In business, people talk about the risk-reward balance.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'risk' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition is 'of': a risk of something. 'To' is used for a risk to someone (a risk to health), 'for' is not used here, and 'at' is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the term risk”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.