What is Risk in English? How to use Risk correctly in English!

What is Risk in English?

Example

Part of speech

Meaning

Verb

to expose to danger; to lay open to the possibility of loss

• Despite the dangerous conditions, the firefighter bravely risked his life to save the trapped residents from the building. 
• She was so confident in her business idea that she risked her entire savings to start her own company. 

to take the chance of (something bad happening)

• I'd better start studying now as I don't want to risk failing the exam. 
• The athlete pushed herself to the limit, risking injury in order to achieve her personal best. 

Noun

(a person, thing etc which causes or could cause) danger or possible loss or injury

• The entrepreneur decided to take a risk and invest all her savings into starting her own business. 
• Climbing Mount Everest is an extreme adventure that comes with significant risks. 

Prepositions used with Risk in English

Example

at risk from

• Children living in poverty are at risk from malnutrition. 
• People living near the volcano are at risk from potential eruptions. 

at risk of

• Smokers are at risk of developing various health problems. 
• Pregnant women are at risk of complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. 

Nouns used with Risk in English

Example

risk group

• The elderly population is considered a risk group for complications from respiratory illnesses. 
• In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers are considered a high-risk group due to their increased exposure to the virus. 

risk factor

• Smoking is a major risk factor for developing lung cancer. 
• Obesity is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes. 

risk assessment

• The company conducted a risk assessment to identify potential hazards in the workplace. 
• The financial institution conducted a risk assessment of its investment portfolio. 

credit risk

• The bank carefully assesses the credit risk of each borrower before granting a loan. 
• The company experienced financial difficulties due to increased credit risks from non-paying customers. 

market risk

• Investors should be aware of market risks such as fluctuations in stock prices. 
• The company's profits were affected by market risk. 

currency risk

• Importers and exporters face currency risk when exchange rate fluctuations impact the cost of goods. 
• The multinational company implemented hedging strategies to mitigate currency risk exposure. 

exchange risk

• International companies face exchange risk when conducting business in different currencies. 
• The decision to invest in foreign markets involves evaluating exchange risk. 

risk analysis

• The company conducted a thorough risk analysis to identify potential vulnerabilities. 
• Before making investment decisions, investors often perform risk analysis. 

risk capital

• The entrepreneur uses risk capital from investors to develop their startup. 
• Investors provide risk capital to promising early-stage companies. 

security risk

• The IT department identified a security risk in the form of a potential data breach. 
• Traveling to certain regions with high crime rates carries a security risk. 

catastrophe risk

• Insurance companies assess catastrophe risks associated with natural disasters. 
• Homeowners in coastal areas often face higher premiums due to the increased catastrophe risk. 

inflation risk

• Investors are concerned about inflation risk. 
• Businesses face inflation risk as rising prices of raw materials costs. 

inventory risk

• Retailers need to carefully manage inventory risks to avoid overstocking. 
• A sudden decrease in demand for a specific product can lead to inventory risk for manufacturers. 

risk management

• The company implements effective risk management strategies. 
• Risk management minimizes the negative impact on an organization. 

sovereign risk

• Investors consider sovereign risk when assessing the creditworthiness of a country. 
• Political instability can contribute to higher sovereign risk for a nation. 

Adjectives used with Risk in English

Example

considerable risk

• Investing in a new technology carries considerable risk, but it also presents an opportunity for substantial returns. 
• The expedition to climb Mount Everest involved considerable risk due to extreme weather conditions. 

enormous risk

• Starting a business without a solid business plan carries enormous risk. 
• Investing savings in a highly volatile market can expose an individual to enormous risk. 

low-risk

• Parking your money in a savings account is a low-risk strategy. strategy. 
• Government bonds are often considered low-risk investments due to their relatively stable returns. 

high-risk

• Individuals with a family history of heart disease are often classified as a high-risk group for cardiac conditions. 
• Engaging in extreme sports involves high-risk activities that require proper training. 

risk averse

• Jane is risk averse when it comes to investing her savings. 
• John's risk-averse nature led him to choose a stable job with a steady income. 

specific risk

• Investors should carefully assess the specific risks associated with individual stocks before making investment decisions. 
• Before launching a new product, a company needs to conduct thorough market research to identify and mitigate specific risks such as changing consumer preferences. 

systematic risk

• The real estate market faces systematic risk when interest rates rise.
• A stock investor faces systematic risk when the entire stock market experiences a downturn.

Verb used with Risk in English

Example

run a/the risk of doing something

• If you don't study for the exam, you run the risk of failing. 
• Jane runs the risk of losing everything if the stock's value plummets.

face a risk

• When starting a new business, you face the risk of financial uncertainty and potential failure. 
• Traveling to a politically unstable country means you face the risk of safety concerns. 

take a risk

• John decided to take a risk and quit his stable job to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship. 
• She took a risk by investing in a startup company. 

Phrases used with Risk in English

Meaning

Example

take a calculated risk

take a risk that you consider worth taking because the result, if it is successful, will be so good

• The hiker took a calculated risk in exploring the jungle alone. 
• The driver took a calculated risk by overtaking multiple vehicles on a narrow street. 

at the risk of doing something

used before you say something that may seem offensive or stupid

• At the risk of sounding insensitive, why do some people find it difficult to manage their personal finances effectively? 
• At the risk of embarrassing myself, could you explain the concept of quantum mechanics in simpler terms? 

at risk to yourself/somebody/something

with the possibility of harming yourself/somebody/something

• I confronted the armed robber at great risk to myself. 
• The firefighter rushed into the burning building at significant risk to himself. 

do something at your own risk

to do something with the foreknowledge or forewarning that there is implied risk or danger that one must accept as one's own responsibility

• Visitors entering the construction zone without proper safety gear at their own risk. 
• Hikers venturing off the designated trail at their own risk. 

Structure

Example

S + risk + N/ Ving + O

• She risked getting caught by sneaking into the restricted area to gather evidence. 
• John risked alienating his family by pursuing his dream career against their wishes. 

S + risk + O + to + V

• He risked his life to save the drowning child.
• He risked his reputation to speak up against injustice. 

S + risk + N1/ Ving + on/ for + N2/ Ving

• She risked her career on pursuing her passion for acting. 
• They risked their financial stability for investing in a business venture. 

Synonyms of Risk in English

Meaning

Example

danger

/'deindʤə/

the possibility of suffering harm or injury

• The hiker faced great danger when she got lost in the dense forest. 
• It's important to be aware of the dangers of smoking for your health. 

hazard

/'hæzəd/

a danger or risk

• The slippery road due to heavy rain posed a hazard to the drivers. 
• The construction site had several hazards, including exposed wires and unstable scaffolding. 

venture

/'ventʃə/

a risky or daring journey or undertaking

• The explorer embarked on a daring venture to uncover ancient artifacts in a remote jungle. 
• The company's expansion into international markets was a bold venture. 

peril

/'peril/

serious and immediate danger.

• The mountaineers braved the perils of scaling the treacherous peak. 
• The ship was in peril when it encountered a violent storm in the open sea. 

endanger

/ɪnˈdeɪnʤə/

put (someone or something) at risk or in danger

• The reckless driving endangered the lives of pedestrians on the busy street. 
• Leaving the stove unattended can endanger the safety of your home. 

imperil

/imˈperəl/

put at risk of being harmed, injured, or destroyed

• The mountaineers braved the perils of scaling the treacherous peak. 
• The ship was in peril when it encountered a violent storm in the open sea. 

jeopardize

/'dʤepədaiz/

put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure

• His careless actions jeopardized the entire project and put the team's efforts at risk. 
• Sharing sensitive information can jeopardize national security. 

Antonyms of Risk in English

Meaning

Example

safety

/ˈseɪf.ti/

the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury

• The company prioritizes the safety of its employees by providing proper training and safety equipment. 
• Wearing a helmet ensures the safety of motorcyclists on the road.

security

/si'kjuəriti/

the state of being free from danger or threat

• The bank has tight security measures in place to protect customers' financial information. 
• The government increased security at airports following a terrorist threat. 

guard

/gɑ:d/

protect against damage or harm

• The dog fiercely guards its owner's property. 
• The security staff was assigned to guard the entrance to the high-profile event. 

protect

/prəˈtekt/

keep safe from harm or injury

• It is the duty of parents to protect their children from harm. 
• Wearing sunscreen helps protect the skin from harmful UV rays. 

save

/seɪv/

keep safe or rescue (someone or something) from harm or danger

• The lifeguard jumped into the water to save the drowning swimmer. 
• The firefighter worked tirelessly to save the people trapped inside the burning building. 

1. investing

2. telling

3. losing

4. put

5. took/ failing