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hazard

HAZ-erd /ˈhæz.əd/

nounB1IELTSTOEFL

ProfessionalTechnical

A potential source of danger, harm, or adverse health effects on something or someone.

A hazard is the thing itself (like a chemical or a loose wire), whereas a risk is the chance that the hazard will actually cause harm.

The story behind the word. The word 'hazard' traces back to the Arabic 'az-zahr', meaning 'the die'. It entered Old French as 'hasard', referring to a game of chance played with dice. Over time, the concept of 'chance' evolved into the modern meaning of a potential danger or source of harm.

Word relationships

danger: Danger is a general term, while hazard often refers to a specific source of harm in a technical context.
peril: Peril suggests an immediate and grave danger, often used in literary or legal contexts.

safety: The state of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.

Commonly confused with

risk: A hazard is the source of danger; a risk is the likelihood of that danger occurring.

Word family

hazardous (adjective): Involving risk or danger.

Collocations

occupational hazard
environmental hazard
fire hazard
health hazard

Idioms & expressions

at your own hazard

Example sentences

"The inspector identified the frayed electrical cord as a significant fire hazard that needed immediate attention." Safety Inspection
"The primary hazard in the chemical plant was the volatile nature of the stored gases." Environmental Science

Memory hook

Think of a 'Haphazard' pile of 'Hazardous' materials; if things are messy, they are dangerous. The die is cast; a hazard is the hidden danger in the game.

When not to use

Avoid using 'hazard' when you are talking about the probability of an event; use 'risk' instead.

Fun facts

In golf, a 'hazard' refers specifically to obstacles like bunkers or water that make the game more difficult.