Risk
Alternative forms
- risque archaic
Origin
From earlier risque, from Middle French risque, from Italian risco
Modern Italian rischio}, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Latin *resicum ("that which cuts, rock, crag") (>
Medieval Latin resicu), from Latin resecŠ("cut off, loose, curtail", verb.), in the sense of that which is a danger to boating or shipping; or from Ancient Greek ῥιζικόν (rhizikón, "root, radical, hazard"). Cognate with Spanish riesgo, Portuguese risco
Full definition of risk
Noun
risk
(plural risks)- A possible, usually negative, outcome, e.g., a danger.
- Macaulaythe imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves
- 2006, BBC News website, Farmers warned over skin cancer read at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4764525.stm on 14 May 2006There was also a "degree of complacency" that the weather in the country was not good enough to present a health risk.
- 2013-06-22, Snakes and ladders, Risk is everywhere. From tabloid headlines insisting that coffee causes cancer (yesterday, of course, it cured it) to stern government warnings about alcohol and driving, the world is teeming with goblins. For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you.
- The likelihood of a negative outcome.
- 2006, Trever Ramsey on BBC News website, Exercise 'cuts skin cancer risk' read at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4764535.stm on 14 May 2006Taking regular exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of several types of cancer.
- 2012-01, Stephen Ledoux, Behaviorism at 100, Becoming more aware of the progress that scientists have made on behavioral fronts can reduce the risk that other natural scientists will resort to mystical agential accounts when they exceed the limits of their own disciplinary training.
- Formal use in business, engineering, etc. The potential (conventionally negative) effect of an event, determined by combining the likelihood of the event occurring with the effect should it occur.
- 2002, Decisioneering Inc website, What is risk? read at http://www.decisioneering.com/risk-analysis.html on 14 May 2006If there is a 25% chance of running over schedule, costing you a $100 out of your own pocket, that might be a risk you are willing to take. But if you have a 5% chance of running overschedule, knowing that there is a $10,000 penalty, you might be less willing to take that risk.
Derived terms
Verb
- (transitive) To incur risk (to something).
- 2006, BBC Sport website, Beckham wary over Rooney comeback read at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4769433.stm on 14 May 2006England captain David Beckham has warned Wayne Rooney not to risk his long-term future by rushing his return from injury.
- (transitive) To incur risk (of something).
- 2006, Transportation Alternatives website, Rail delays as thieves cut power read at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4972476.stm on 14 May 2006These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risking serious injury.
- (transitive) To incur risk (by something).
- 1999, BBC News website, Volunteer of the Month: Andrew Hay McConnell read at http://www.transalt.org/press/magazine/994Summer/12volunteer.html on 14 May 2006After coming to New York, I decided to risk cycling again.
Usage notes
This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See