risk

Meaning

Noun

1. The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event.
2. The magnitude of possible loss consequent to a decision or event.
3. The potential negative effect of an event, determined by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring with its magnitude should it occur.
4. A possible adverse event or outcome.
5. A possible adverse event or outcome.
6. A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).
7. A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).
8. A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).
9. A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).

Verb

1. To incur risk of (an unwanted or negative outcome).
2. To incur risk of harming or jeopardizing.
3. To incur risk as a result of (doing something).

Concepts

risk

hazard

danger

peril

venture

jeopardize

dare

jeopardy

gamble

endanger

chance

adventure

stake

brave

take a chance

take chances

bet

run a risk

endangerment

put forth

be audacious

wager

harm

threat

imperil

lay on the line

put on the line

risk of exposure

risk of infection

accident

take risks

uncertainty

desecrate

face

profane

harm and danger

go through

undergo

undertaking

try out

be possible

have opportunity

menace

play

insecurity

engage

go

throw

detriment

challenge

tempt Providence

diversification of risk

spread risk

spreading

dangerousness

exposure

mischance

mishap

take a risk

run risks

incautious

offend

determine

treachery

attempt

run the risk

take the risk

plight

stakes

sweepstake

issue forth

rush upon

disregard

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɪsk/

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
Most dictionaries consider the etymology of these Italian terms uncertain, but some suggest they perhaps come from Vulgar Latin *resecum (“that which cuts, rock, crag”) (> Medieval Latin resicu), from Latin resecō (“cut off, loose, curtail”, verb), in the sense of that which is a danger to boating or shipping; or from Ancient Greek ῥιζικόν (rhizikón, “root, radical, hazard”).
A few dictionaries express more certainty. Collins says the Italian risco comes from Ancient Greek ῥίζα (rhíza, “cliff”) due to the hazards of sailing along rocky coasts. The American Heritage says it probably comes from Byzantine Greek ῥιζικό, ριζικό (rhizikó, rizikó, “sustenance obtained by a soldier through his own initiative, fortune”), from Arabic رِزْق (rizq, “sustenance, that which God allots”), from Classical Syriac ܪܘܙܝܩܐ ,ܪܙܩܐ (rezqā, rōzīqā, “daily ration”), from Middle Persian [script needed] (rōčig), from Middle Persian [script needed] (rōč, “day”), from Old Persian [script needed] (*raučah-), from Proto-Indo-European *lewk-.
Cognate with Spanish riesgo, Portuguese risco