risk

1 /rIsk/ noun

1 POSSIBILITY OF BAD RESULT (C, U) the possibility that something bad, unpleasant, or dangerous may happen: If you're considering starting a business, think carefully about the risks involved.

(+ of): the risk of serious injury | reduce/increase the risk of: Wear rubber gloves to reduce the risk of infection. (+ that): There was some risk that fire would break out again. | a calculated risk (=a risk you think will have a good result): It was a calculated risk to appoint a man without management experience to such a senior post. | an element of risk (=some risk, but not much): There's an element of risk in any kind of investment. | it's worth the risk: I never walk home alone at night - it's not worth the risk.

2 take a risk to decide to do something even though you know it may have bad results: The fuel tank could blow up, but that's a risk we'll have to take.

3 at risk be in a situation where you may be harmed: We must stop these rumours; the firm's reputation is at risk. | be at risk of: People with fair skins are more at risk of skin cancer. | put sb/sth at risk: I've no respect for a man who would put his children at risk like that.

4 run a risk to be in a situation where there is a risk of something bad happening to you: Anyone travelling without a passport runs the risk of being arrested.

5 at the risk of doing sth used when you think that what you are going to say or do may have a bad result, may offend or annoy people etc: At the risk of sounding stupid, can I ask a simple question?

6 at your own risk if you do something at your own risk, you do it even though you understand the possible dangers and have been warned about them: You leave valuables in the classroom at your own risk.

7 CAUSE OF DANGER (C) something or someone that is likely to cause harm or danger

(+ to): Polluted water supplies are a risk to public health. | health risk (=something likely to harm people's health): Meat from the infected animals is regarded as a serious health risk. | fire risk (=something that could cause a dangerous fire): The tyre dump is a major fire risk. | security risk (=someone who may tell important secrets to an enemy country)

8 INSURANCE/BUSINESS (C) a person or business judged according to the danger involved in giving them insurance or lending them money: a good/bad/poor risk: a good credit risk | Drivers under 21 are regarded as poor risks by insurance companies.

2 verb (T)

1 to put something in a situation in which it could be lost, destroyed, or harmed: When children start smoking, they don't realize that they're risking their health. | risk sth on sth: You'd be crazy to risk your money on an investment like that! | risk your life: Martina risked her life to save her dog from the fire. | risk your neck informal (=do something very dangerous in order to help someone): I'm not going to risk my neck just to save a common criminal. | risk life and limb (=do something very dangerous): Why risk life and limb jumping out of a plane with a parachute on your back?

2 to get into a situation where something unpleasant may happen to you: risk defeat/death/dismissal etc: The government risks an embarrassing defeat if it calls an election now. | risk being defeated/killed/dismissed etc: Workers who broke the strike risked being attacked when they left the factory.

3 to do something that you know may have dangerous or unpleasant results: risk doing sth: Are you prepared to risk traveling without an armed guard? | risk it spoken: You could slip out of school between classes, but I wouldn't risk it.