risk
RISK
/rɪsk/
The possibility of loss, injury, or other adverse or unwelcome circumstance.
Risk combines the probability of an event with the severity of its impact.
The story behind the word. The word 'risk' likely comes from the Italian 'risco', meaning a cliff or rock. It was a term used by sailors to describe the danger of running their ships into jagged rocks hidden beneath the water's surface.
Word relationships
- likelihood: Likelihood only refers to probability, whereas risk includes the negative consequence.
- certainty: Certainty implies a 100% chance of an outcome, removing the element of risk.
Commonly confused with
- hazard: Risk is the probability of harm; hazard is the source of harm.
Word family
- risky (adjective): Full of the possibility of danger or failure.
Collocations
- risk assessment
- calculated risk
- high risk
- at risk
Idioms & expressions
- run the risk
- at your own risk
- take a risk
Example sentences
- "The biggest risk is not taking any risk." Financial Strategy
- "The project manager conducted a thorough assessment to identify any potential risk to the timeline." Project Management
Memory hook
Think of a 'Risk' as a 'Rock' hidden under the water that could sink your ship. Sailing near the rocks is a risk.
When not to use
Do not use 'risk' when referring to the physical object causing the danger; use 'hazard' for the object.
Fun facts
- In finance, risk is often measured by 'standard deviation', which tells you how much an investment's return might vary from the average.
Related words
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.