- risk
- I UK [rɪsk] / US
noun
Word forms "risk":
singular risk plural risks
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Get it right: risk:The noun risk is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern the/a risk of doing something:
Wrong: Smokers themselves have a high risk to get cancer.
Right: Smokers themselves have a high risk of getting cancer.
Wrong: If you eat too much you run the risk to have serious health problems.
Right: If you eat too much you run the risk of having serious health problems. ➡ risk IIa) [countable/uncountable] the possibility that something unpleasant or dangerous might happenrisk of:Most major changes involve some risk.
the risk of doing something:The risk of a major nuclear accident must be taken seriously.
risk (that):The risk of developing lung cancer from smoking is a serious one.
risk to:There is no risk that the virus can be transferred from patient to doctor.
reduce/increase the risk of something:The risks to consumers from these products need to be fully analysed.
an element of risk (= some risk):You can reduce the risk of heart disease by exercising regularly.
worth the risk:All outdoor activities carry an element of risk.
We might get away with it, but it isn't really worth the risk.
b) [countable] someone or something that is likely to be a danger or problem in the futurerisk to:health risk (= something that could be a danger to people's health):The council says the waste is not a risk to the public.
fire risk (= something that could cause a fire):Some of these restaurants are a clear health risk to diners.
All these books and papers are a real fire risk.
pose a risk (to someone) (= be a risk):Large quantities of such material constitute a potential fire risk.
Such prisoners pose no real risk to the public.
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Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with risk
▪ calculated, grave, greater, high, increased, potential, real, serious, significant, unacceptable Verbs frequently used with risk as the object ▪ avoid, carry, eliminate, entail, increase, involve, minimize, pose, reduce, run, takea good/bad risk
— a person or company considered according to how safe it is to lend them money or give them insurance or creditLoans to farmers are now considered a bad risk.
run the risk (of something)
— to be in a situation in which something bad could happenShe didn't go, because she didn't want to run the risk of seeing Neil again.
The President runs the risk of assassination with every public appearance.
- at riskSee:
II UK [rɪsk] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "risk":
present tense I/you/we/they risk he/she/it risks present participle risking past tense risked past participle risked
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Get it right: risk:The verb risk is never followed by an infinitive. Use the pattern risk doing something:
Wrong: In trying to manage both their job and their family, they risk to neglect one or the other.
Right: In trying to manage both their job and their family, they risk neglecting one or the other.
Wrong: If you risk to go to prison, you will need money for a good lawyer.
Right: If you risk going to prison, you will need money for a good lawyer. ➡ risk I1)a) to do something that makes it possible for something important or valuable to be destroyed, damaged, or lostrisk something on something:Do you realize how much you're risking by supporting him in this?
It's a lot of money to risk on such an uncertain venture.
b) to be in a situation in which something unpleasant or dangerous could happen to yourisk death:risk doing something:Reports indicated that up to 4,000,000 people risked death from starvation.
We don't want to risk becoming involved in a civil war.
2) to do something although you know that something bad could happen as a resultrisk doing something:She risked a quick glance back over her shoulder.
risk it (= risk doing something):Do you think I should risk sending him a letter?
It was a no-parking zone, but I decided to risk it anyway.
•risk your life/neck
— to do something very dangerous, especially something that could injure or kill youThe officer risked his life to save the drowning man.
English dictionary. 2014.
