The AI-powered English dictionary
countable and uncountable, plural risks
(uncountable) The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event. quotations examples
What crop(s) to plant, how much area to devote to each crop, and how much risk to take with respect to rainfall during the season are some of the decisions that must be made.
1994, S. I. Bhuiyan, On-farm Reservoir Systems for Rainfed Ricelands, page 36
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.Taking regular exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of several types of cancer.
2013 June 22, “Snakes and ladders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 76
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.
2012 January, Stephen Ledoux, “Behaviorism at 100”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 60
(uncountable) The magnitude of possible loss consequent to a decision or event. quotations examples
Will they find the prospect of greater risk a cause for concern, rather than a gift from the right?
2004 April 23, “American Families at Risk”, in The American Prospect
The decision was also unlawful in disregarding the prospect of greater risk of sexual or physical abuse to girls at a co-educational residential school
2012 December 12, “Hekia Parata will not appeal Salisbury decision”, in Manawatu Standard
SEAC acknowledged that their recommendation was a somewhat uneasy compromise between the desire to protect the public from a small chance of a big risk and the desire not to ruin an industry, probably unnecessarily.
2006, R. Packer, The Politics of BSE, page 196
(uncountable, economics, business and engineering) The potential negative effect of an event, determined by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring with its magnitude should it occur. quotations examples
If 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.
2002, Decisioneering Inc website, What is risk? read at on 14 May 2006
(countable) A possible adverse event or outcome. quotations examples
the imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves
1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter 7, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volumes (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans
(countable) A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect). quotations
There was also a "degree of complacency" that the weather in the country was not good enough to present a health risk.
2006, BBC News website, Farmers warned over skin cancer read at on 14 May 2006
(banking, finance) A borrower (such as a mortgage-holder or person with a credit card). examples
(finance) A financial product (typically an investment). examples
(insurance) An entity insured by an insurer. examples
third-person singular simple present risks, present participle risking, simple past and past participle risked
(transitive) To incur risk of (an unwanted or negative outcome). quotations examples
These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risking serious injury.
2006, Transportation Alternatives website, Rail delays as thieves cut power read at on 14 May 2006
(transitive) To incur risk of harming or jeopardizing. quotations examples
England captain David Beckham has warned Wayne Rooney not to risk his long-term future by rushing his return from injury.
2006, BBC Sport website, Beckham wary over Rooney comeback read at on 14 May 2006
(transitive) To incur risk as a result of (doing something). quotations examples
After coming to New York, I decided to risk cycling again.
1999, BBC News website, Volunteer of the Month: Andrew Hay McConnell read at on 14 May 2006