risk / risk/ • n. a situation involving exposure to danger: flouting the law was too much of a risk | all outdoor activities carry an element of risk. ∎  [in sing.] the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen: reduce the risk of heart disease | [as adj.] a high consumption of caffeine was suggested as a risk factor for loss of bone mass. ∎  [usu. in sing.] a person or thing regarded as likely to turn out well or badly, as specified, in a particular context or respect: Western banks regarded Romania as a good risk. ∎  a person or thing regarded as a threat to something in need of protection: she's a security risk. ∎  a thing regarded as likely to result in a specified danger: gloss paint can burn strongly and pose a fire risk. ∎  (usu. risks) a possibility of harm or damage against which something is insured. ∎  the possibility of financial loss: [as adj.] project finance is essentially an exercise in risk management. • v. [tr.] expose (someone or something valued) to danger, harm, or loss: he risked his life to save his dog. ∎  act or fail to act in such a way as to bring about the possibility of (an unpleasant or unwelcome event): unless you're dealing with pure alcohol you're risking contamination from benzene. ∎  incur the chance of unfortunate consequences by engaging in (an action): he was far too intelligent to risk attempting to deceive her.PHRASES: at risk exposed to harm or danger: 23 million people in Africa are at risk from starvation.at one's (own) risk used to indicate that if harm befalls a person or their possessions through their actions, it is their own responsibility: they undertook the adventure at their own risk.at the risk of doing something although there is the possibility of something unpleasant resulting: at the risk of boring people to tears, I repeat the most important rule in painting.at risk to oneself (or something) with the possibility of endangering oneself or something: he visited prisons at considerable risk to his health.risk one's neck put one's life in danger.run the risk (or run risks) expose oneself to the possibility of something unpleasant occurring: she preferred not to run the risk of encountering his sister.take a risk (or take risks) proceed in the knowledge that there is a chance of something unpleasant occurring.ORIGIN: mid 17th cent.: from French risque (noun), risquer (verb), from Italian risco ‘danger’ and rischiare ‘run into danger.’