risk
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.
Meanings
Examples
The company decided to take a calculated risk with the new product.
Investors are not willing to risk their capital in a volatile market.
He is always risking it by ignoring the safety warnings.
Phrasal Verbs
risk it
take a chance despite the danger
I know it is a long shot, but I am willing to risk it.