hazard
HAZ-urd
/ˈhæzəd/
A danger or risk; a potential source of harm.
A hazard is the source of danger (like a volcano), while risk is the probability that the hazard will cause harm.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Arabic 'az-zahr' (the die), entering Europe through the Spanish 'azar' and Old French 'hasard' as a game of dice. It eventually came to mean any risk or danger, reflecting the idea that life is a gamble.
Word relationships
- peril: A more poetic or serious word for immediate and great danger.
- jeopardy: Danger of loss, harm, or failure.
- safety: The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury.
- security: The state of being free from danger or threat.
Commonly confused with
- risk: A hazard is the thing that can hurt you; risk is the chance that it actually will.
Word family
- hazardous (adjective): Risky; dangerous.
- hazardously (adverb): In a way that is dangerous.
Collocations
- natural hazard
- environmental hazard
- occupational hazard
- fire hazard
Idioms & expressions
- at your own hazard
Example sentences
- "The accumulation of dry brush in the canyon poses a significant fire hazard to the nearby homes." Public Safety
- "Employers are required by law to identify and mitigate all workplace hazards." Occupational Health
Memory hook
Think of 'Haphazard': if something is done 'haphazardly', it's left to chance and is likely dangerous. A hazard is a roll of the dice with your safety.
When not to use
In golf, a 'hazard' is a specific obstacle; don't use it generally if you are writing about sports unless you mean that.
Fun facts
- In the 14th century, 'Hazard' was a popular gambling game mentioned in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales'.
- 'Hazard lights' on a car are used to warn others of a potential danger.
Related words
Explore more words
Risk, vulnerability, Exposure, take a risk, vulnerable, adverse
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