- 1 [countable, uncountable] the possibility of something bad happening at some time in the future; a situation that could be dangerous or have a bad result risk (of something/of doing something) Smoking can increase the risk of developing heart disease. Patients should be made aware of the risks involved with this treatment. risk (that…) There is still a risk that the whole deal will fall through. risk (to somebody/something) The chemicals pose little risk (= are not dangerous) to human health. a calculated risk (= one that you think is small compared with the possible benefits) Any business venture contains an element of risk. We could probably trust her with the information but it's just not worth the risk. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, considerable, enormous, … … of riskdegree, level, element, … verb + riskface, run, take, … risk + verboutweigh something risk + noungroup, factor, assessment, … prepositionat risk, at risk from, at risk of, … phrasesat your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, … See full entry
- 2 [countable] risk (to something) a person or thing that is likely to cause problems or danger at some time in the future The group was considered to be a risk to national security. a major health/fire risk Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, considerable, enormous, … … of riskdegree, level, element, … verb + riskface, run, take, … risk + verboutweigh something risk + noungroup, factor, assessment, … prepositionat risk, at risk from, at risk of, … phrasesat your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, … See full entry
- 3[countable] a good/bad/poor risk a person or business that a bank or an insurance company is willing/unwilling to lend money or sell insurance to because they are likely/unlikely to pay back the money etc. With five previous claims, he's now a bad insurance risk. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, considerable, enormous, … … of riskdegree, level, element, … verb + riskface, run, take, … risk + verboutweigh something risk + noungroup, factor, assessment, … prepositionat risk, at risk from, at risk of, … phrasesat your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, … See full entry See related entries: Economy Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French risque (noun), risquer (verb), from Italian risco ‘danger’ and rischiare ‘run into danger’. Wordfinderinsuranceactuary, annuity, cover, excess, insurance, no-claims bonus, policy, premium, risk, underwrite Wordfinderloancredit, debt, deposit, interest, lend, loan, money, mortgage, overdraft, riskExtra examples Children are at greater risk for these diseases. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for this disease. Companies can mitigate the risks of losing valuable data. Consider your own risk tolerance. How many chances are you willing to take? Farmers invest in irrigation to manage risk in drought years. He is no longer considered a security risk in the State of California. He is not a current suicide risk. He knew he was taking a big risk by going skiing. He saved the child at considerable risk to himself. He’s a good insurance risk. His lawyer argued that he was not a flight risk. I take calculated risks but never gamble. I think you know the risks of your choices. I was taking a big risk in lending her the money. I’m not prepared to take risks—I want the equipment thoroughly checked. If you don’t revise, you run the risk of failing. Journalists in the zone are at serious risk of being kidnapped. Miners are a high risk group for certain types of gastric cancer. Pollutants in the river pose a real risk to the fish. Smoking doubles the risk of having a stroke. Standards of hygiene have fallen with all the attendant risks of disease. The benefits outweigh the risks. The building is unsafe—enter at your own risk. The directors will have to assess our credit risk. The lawyers are assuming all the financial risk. The operation carries an element of risk. The perceived risk is far greater than reality. The rewards may well justify the risks. There are considerable risks inherent in the policy. These funds spread the risk among different countries. They do their patriotic duty at great personal risk. They run great political risks by opposing him. They try to identify every possible risk. Those old boxes in the corridor are a fire risk. You have to weigh risks and benefits. Young male drivers are a higher risk category compared to mature ladies and even women of the same age. a big jump in the risk premium on corporate bonds a higher risk of stomach cancer a major risk to livestock a reduced risk for heart disease a risk from contaminated water efforts to persuade the public to reduce risk behavior high-risk patients investors’ assessments of overall risk levels its judgment of what constitutes an acceptable risk solutions to address security risks more effectively the risks and benefits of a drug the strategies of risk avoidance that people practice in their everyday lives to put someone’s life at risk Any business venture contains an element of risk. At the risk of showing my ignorance, how exactly does this system work? Gloss paint can burn strongly and pose a fire risk. It was so close, he decided to take a calculated risk. Persons swimming beyond this point do so at their own risk. Sending cash in the post is a bit of a risk. She knew she had taken an enormous risk in going to see Helen. Sometimes leaders need to be prepared to take risks. Thankfully the risk paid off. That’s a risk that I’m not prepared to take. The chemicals pose little risk to human health. Tuberculosis threatens to become a major health risk worldwide. We could probably trust her with the information but it’s just not worth the risk. We don’t want to run the risk of losing their business. You have no right to take risks with other people’s lives.Idioms
in danger of something unpleasant or harmful happening As with all diseases, certain groups will be more at risk than others. If we go to war, innocent lives will be put at risk.
used to introduce something that may sound stupid or may offend somebody At the risk of showing my ignorance, how exactly does the Internet work?
with the possibility of harming yourself/somebody/something He dived in to save the dog at considerable risk to his own life.
to do something even though you have been warned about the possible dangers and will have to take responsibility for anything bad that happens Persons swimming beyond this point do so at their own risk (= on a notice). Valuables are left at their owner's risk (= on a notice).
to be in a situation in which something bad could happen to you People who are overweight run a risk of a heart attack or stroke.
to be or put yourself in a situation in which something bad could happen to you We don't want to run the risk of losing their business. Investment is all about running risks.
to do something even though you know that something bad could happen as a result That's a risk I'm not prepared to take. You have no right to take risks with other people's lives.
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