TOP

Definition of risk verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

risk

verb
 
/rɪsk/
 
/rɪsk/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they risk
 
/rɪsk/
 
/rɪsk/
he / she / it risks
 
/rɪsks/
 
/rɪsks/
past simple risked
 
/rɪskt/
 
/rɪskt/
past participle risked
 
/rɪskt/
 
/rɪskt/
-ing form risking
 
/ˈrɪskɪŋ/
 
/ˈrɪskɪŋ/
Idioms
jump to other results
  1. risk something to put something 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.
    • risk something on something He risked all his money on a game of cards.
    • risk something for something They were willing to risk everything for their liberty.
    Extra Examples
    • He was prepared to risk everything in order to achieve his ambition.
    • I wouldn't risk my money on a scheme like this one.
    • I wouldn't risk my money on this investment.
    Topics Dangerb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + risk
    • cannot
    • dare not
    • not want to
    preposition
    • for
    • on
    phrases
    • risk it
    • risk life and limb
    • risk losing something
    See full entry
  2. to do something that may mean that you get into a situation which is unpleasant or harmful for you
    • risk something There was no choice. If they stayed there, they risked death.
    • risk doing something These families risked losing everything.
    • risk somebody/something doing something I can't risk anyone telling my parents about it.
    Extra Examples
    • I refuse to risk being hurt.
    • I simply can't risk being seen there.
    • families who risk losing their homes
    • They knew they risked being arrested.
    • I didn't want to risk being late.
    Topics Dangerb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + risk
    • cannot
    • dare not
    • not want to
    preposition
    • for
    • on
    phrases
    • risk it
    • risk life and limb
    • risk losing something
    See full entry
  3. to do something that you know is not really a good idea or may not succeed
    • risk something He risked a glance at her furious face.
    • They risked the wrath of the government (= risked making them angry) by leaking the story.
    • It was a difficult decision but we decided to risk it.
    • I knew I would be in trouble if I was found out, but I decided to risk it anyway.
    • risk doing something We've been advised not to risk travelling in these conditions.
    Topics Dangerb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + risk
    • cannot
    • dare not
    • not want to
    preposition
    • for
    • on
    phrases
    • risk it
    • risk life and limb
    • risk losing something
    See full entry
    More Like This Verbs usually followed by -ing formsVerbs usually followed by -ing forms
  4. Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French risque (noun), risquer (verb), from Italian risco ‘danger’ and rischiare ‘run into danger’.
Idioms
risk life and limb | risk your neck
  1. to risk being killed or injured in order to do something
    • She risked life and limb to save her children from the fire.
    Extra Examples
    • I am not risking my neck for anyone!
    • the brave tourist who risks life and limb for adventure
    • He had no desire to risk his neck for the king and his favourites.
    • She has been willing to risk life and limb to get a good close-up shot of the nesting birds.
See risk in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee risk in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
perspective
noun
 
 
From the Word list
Oxford 3000
B2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day