RISK


Meaning of RISK in English

/ rɪsk; NAmE / noun , verb

■ noun

1.

[ C , U ] risk (of sth) | risk (that ... ) | risk (to sb/sth) the possibility of sth bad happening at some time in the future; a situation that could be dangerous or have a bad result :

Smoking can increase the risk of developing heart disease.

Patients should be made aware of the risks involved with this treatment.

There is still a risk that the whole deal will fall through.

The chemicals pose little risk (= are not dangerous) to human health.

a calculated risk (= one that you think is small compared with the possible benefits)

Any business venture contains an element of risk .

We could probably trust her with the information but it's just not worth the risk .

2.

[ C ] risk (to sth) a person or thing that is likely to cause problems or danger at some time in the future :

The group was considered to be a risk to national security.

a major health / fire risk

3.

[ C ] a good / bad / poor ~ a person or business that a bank or an insurance company is willing / unwilling to lend money or sell insurance to because they are likely / unlikely to pay back the money etc. :

With five previous claims, he's now a bad insurance risk.

IDIOMS

- at risk (from / of sth)

- at the risk of doing sth

- at risk to yourself / sb / sth

- do sth at your own risk

- run a risk (of sth / of doing sth)

- run the risk (of sth / of doing sth) | run risks

- take a risk | take risks

■ verb

1.

[ vn ] to put sth valuable or important in a dangerous situation, in which it could be lost or damaged :

He risked his life to save her.

She was risking her own and her children's health.

He risked all his money on a game of cards.

2.

to do sth that may mean that you get into a situation which is unpleasant for you :

[ vn ]

There was no choice. If they stayed there, they risked death.

[ v -ing ]

They knew they risked being arrested.

[also vn -ing ]

3.

to do sth that you know is not really a good idea or may not succeed :

[ vn ]

He risked a glance at her furious face.

It was a difficult decision but we decided to risk it .

[ v -ing ]

We've been advised not to risk travelling in these conditions.

IDIOMS

- risk life and limb | risk your neck

••

WORD ORIGIN

mid 17th cent.: from French risque (noun), risquer (verb), from Italian risco danger and rischiare run into danger.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.