/ 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.