risk | meaning of risk in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE
Insurance
risk
risk
1
/
rɪsk
/
●●●
S2
W1
noun
1
[
countable, uncountable
]
RISK
the possibility that something bad, unpleasant, or dangerous may happen
SYN
danger
, →
chance
risk of
Skiers always face the risk of serious injury.
risk (that)
There is a risk that the disease may spread further.
risk to
There is no risk to public health.
2
[
countable
]
RISK
an action that might have bad results
→
gamble
It was a risk, sending a letter to my house.
take a risk
(=
do something that might have bad results
)
Isn’t he taking a bit of a risk in coming here?
take the risk of doing something
I couldn’t take the risk of leaving him alone even for a short time.
calculated risk
(=
a risk you take because you think a good result is quite likely
)
3
[
countable
]
DANGEROUS
something or someone that is likely to cause harm or danger
risk to
Polluted water supplies are a risk to public health.
Meat from the infected animals is regarded as a serious
health risk
(=
something likely to harm people’s health
)
.
The tyre dump is a major
fire risk
(=
something that could cause a dangerous fire
)
.
She’s becoming a
security risk
(=
someone who may tell important secrets to an enemy
)
.
4
→
at risk
5
→
run a risk
6
→
at the risk of doing something
7
→
at your own risk
8
[
countable
]
BFI
a person or business judged according to the danger involved in giving them insurance or lending them money
good/bad/poor risk
Drivers under 21 are regarded as poor risks by insurance companies.
COLLOCATIONS
adjectives
high
Professional sport involves a relatively high risk of injury.
low
The risks of failure are quite low.
considerable
(=
fairly large
)
Starting up your own business involves considerable risks.
a big/great/huge risk
There is a great risk that the wound will become infected.
an increased/reduced risk
Those who smoke have an increased risk of heart disease.
a real risk
There is a real risk that there could be another war.
a serious/grave risk
(=
real and big
)
The most serious risk of flooding this evening is on the River Wye.
a potential risk
The potential risks associated with this operation should not be ignored.
a financial risk
There is relatively little financial risk for the company.
a political risk
The political risks for the president are minimal.
attendant risks
formal
(=
risks involved in something
)
Those who deal with firearms are generally aware of the attendant risks.
verbs
carry a risk
(=
might be dangerous
)
Most medical operations carry some risk.
pose a risk
(=
might be dangerous
)
Climate change poses serious risks to the environment.
involve/entail risk
Investments that provide a high return generally entail more risk.
reduce/minimize a risk
This diet could reduce your risk of certain cancers.
increase a risk
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease.
eliminate risk
(=
remove risk completely
)
You can’t eliminate risk in your life completely.
avoid a risk
They are anxious to avoid any risk of criticism.
face a risk
The dominant male faces the risk that adult males from the group will attack him.
risk + NOUN
a risk factor
(=
something that increases a risk
)
High cholesterol is one of the risk factors associated with heart disease.
risk assessment
(=
a calculation of how much risk is involved in something
)
Engineering risk assessment is based on objective scientific criteria.
phrases
there is a risk
There is always a risk that mistakes will be made.
an element/degree of risk
(=
some risk, but not much
)
There is always an element of risk in flying.
be worth the risk
Don’t walk home alone at night – it’s not worth the risk.
the risks involved/the risks associated with something
The soldiers were well aware of the risks involved.
The public are unwilling to accept the risks associated with nuclear energy.
the benefits outweigh the risks
(=
they are more important than the possible risks
)
The benefits to patients who are taking the drug far outweigh the risks.
