risk
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: riskspast: riskedpp: riskeding: risking
The word carries a tension between danger and opportunity. It is not merely about a negative outcome, but about the gamble of trading a current certainty for a potential future gain. This creates a psychological state of uncertainty and suspense. In professional or financial contexts, it is treated as a manageable variable to be mitigated or hedged. In personal or emotional contexts, it often implies courage or recklessness, depending on whether the outcome is viewed as a noble sacrifice or a foolish mistake.
Countable when referring to a specific dangerous action or a distinct hazard. Uncountable when referring to the general concept of danger or the probability of loss.