English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition risk in British English

risk verb

[transitive] verb
/rɪsk/

The verb risk is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern risk doing something:

✗ In trying to manage both their job and their family, they risk to neglect one or the other.

✓ In trying to manage both their job and their family, they risk neglecting one or the other.

✗ If you risk to go to prison, you will need money for a good lawyer.

✓ If you risk going to prison, you will need money for a good lawyer.

risk

1

to do something that makes it possible for something important or valuable to be destroyed, damaged, or lost

Example

Do you realize how much you're risking by supporting him in this?

Example

It's a lot of money to risk on such an uncertain venture.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to be in a situation in which something unpleasant or dangerous could happen to you

Example

Reports indicated that up to 4,000,000 people risked death from starvation.

Example

We don't want to risk becoming involved in a civil war.

Synonyms and related words
2

to do something although you know that something bad could happen as a result

Example

She risked a quick glance back over her shoulder.

Example

Do you think I should risk sending him a letter?

Example

It was a no-parking zone, but I decided to risk it anyway.

Synonyms and related words
Definition risk in British English