risk
HighNeutral (Used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
The possibility of something bad or undesirable happening; exposure to danger or loss.
An action or situation involving the possibility of loss or failure, but also potential for gain. In finance, it refers to volatility or uncertainty of returns. In decision theory, it quantifies the probability and impact of a negative outcome.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Noun: countable ('a risk') or uncountable ('there is risk involved'). Verb: to risk + noun/-ing form (He risked his life, He risked offending them). Can have positive connotations in contexts of opportunity and reward ('entrepreneurial risk').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling: 'risky' is the same in both varieties.
Connotations
Similar across dialects. Both use 'risk' in finance, health, safety, and management contexts identically.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency and identically used in all formal and informal registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to risk + NP (He risked his money)to risk + V-ing (She risked offending him)to risk itthere is a risk of + NP/V-ingat risk of + NP/V-ingrun the risk of + NP/V-ingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “risk life and limb”
- “run the risk”
- “at your own risk”
- “calculated risk”
- “risk/reward ratio”
- “a risk worth taking”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Quantified probability of loss in investment or strategy (e.g., 'market risk,' 'credit risk').
Academic
Statistical concept of probability of harm or unwanted outcome in research (e.g., 'risk factors for disease').
Everyday
General possibility of something bad happening (e.g., 'There's a risk of rain,' 'I don't want to risk it.').
Technical
In safety engineering: likelihood and severity of a hazard. In finance: volatility or standard deviation of returns.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You risk a fine if you park here.
- He didn't want to risk upsetting his colleagues.
- I'll risk it and invest in the new startup.
American English
- She risked her reputation to speak out.
- They risked getting caught in the storm.
- Don't risk your health by ignoring the symptoms.
adjective
British English
- It was a risky manoeuvre on the motorway.
- His business plan seemed far too risky to the investors.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Crossing the road without looking is a risk.
- There is a risk of rain today.
- He took a risk and tried the new food.
- Smoking increases the risk of heart disease.
- The company assessed the risks before launching the product.
- Is it worth the risk of losing your job?
- The policy is designed to mitigate financial risk.
- She risked offending her boss by criticising the plan.
- Investors must balance risk against potential reward.
- The actuarial model quantified the risk exposure of the portfolio.
- He argued that the geopolitical risks were being systematically understated.
- Risk homeostasis theory suggests people adjust behaviour in response to perceived safety measures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a RISKY circus SKI walker balancing on a thin line between safety and a fall.
Conceptual Metaphor
RISK IS A SUBSTANCE (contain risk, full of risk), RISK IS AN OPPONENT (manage risk, fight risk), RISK IS A GAMBLE (calculate the odds).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'danger' (опасность) for all contexts; 'risk' implies probability, not just certainty of harm.
- In Russian, 'риск' is a direct cognate, but note the verb 'рисковать' is 'to risk' + instrumental case (рискнуть деньгами), while English uses a direct object (risk money).
- Beware of false friend 'risk' vs. Russian 'риск' in financial contexts where English uses specific terms like 'volatility' or 'exposure'.
Common Mistakes
- *I am in the risk of... (correct: I am at risk of...)
- *He took the risk to go there. (correct: He took the risk of going there.)
- Confusing 'hazard' (source of harm) with 'risk' (probability of harm from that source).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'risk' used CORRECTLY as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As a general concept, it's uncountable ('There is some risk involved'). When referring to a specific instance or type, it's countable ('There are several risks to consider').
A hazard is a potential source of harm (e.g., electricity, a cliff). Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur from that hazard, combined with the severity of the harm. For example, electricity is a hazard; the risk is the chance of getting an electric shock.
Yes, particularly in business and finance. 'Risk' is neutral; the outcome can be negative (loss) or positive (gain). Phrases like 'high-risk, high-reward' or 'entrepreneurial risk' frame it as a necessary part of opportunity.
Use 'of' to specify the danger: 'at risk of failure', 'at risk of injury'. Use 'from' to specify the source of the danger: 'at risk from flooding', 'at risk from cyber attacks'.
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Innovation
B2 · 46 words · Language of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.
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