/ ˈventʃə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
a business project or activity, especially one that involves taking risks
SYN undertaking :
A disastrous business venture lost him thousands of dollars.
—see also joint venture
■ verb
1.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to go somewhere even though you know that it might be dangerous or unpleasant :
They ventured nervously into the water.
He's never ventured abroad in his life.
2.
( formal ) to say or do sth in a careful way, especially because it might upset or offend sb :
[ vn ]
She hardly dared to venture an opinion.
[ v to inf ]
I ventured to suggest that she might have made a mistake.
[ v speech ]
'And if I say no?' she ventured.
[also v that ]
3.
[ vn ] venture sth (on sth) to risk losing sth valuable or important if you are not successful at sth
SYN gamble :
It was wrong to venture his financial security on such a risky deal.
•
IDIOMS
- nothing ventured, nothing gained
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- venture into / on sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense adventure , also risk the loss of ): shortening of adventure .