What does risky mean?
Risky is an adjective describing an action, decision, situation, or choice that carries a meaningful chance of danger, loss, failure, or an unfavorable result. It is commonly used with investments, plans, journeys, behaviors, and strategies: a risky investment may produce a large return, but it may also lose substantial value; a risky decision may succeed, yet it may also have serious consequences. The word does not mean that something is certainly dangerous or likely to fail. Instead, it emphasizes the possibility of an adverse outcome and the judgment required to accept that possibility. In everyday use, “risky” often conveys caution, while stronger terms such as “perilous” or “hazardous” may suggest more immediate danger. It is useful in discussions of finance, health, safety, morality, adventure, and decision-making, where uncertainty and potential consequences are central.
adjectiveInvolving a possibility of danger, loss, failure, or an uncertain outcome; potentially harmful or hazardous.
- Involving or carrying a significant possibility of danger, harm, loss, failure, or an undesirable outcome.
"The company decided that investing so heavily in a new market was too risky."
"Skydiving can be an exciting but risky activity."
"The committee rejected the proposal because it seemed too risky to approve."
Calling something risky is often a way of admitting that the future has more than one possible ending.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does risky come from?
The adjective risky was formed in English during the 19th century by adding the suffix -y to risk. It belongs to the same lexical family as risk, riskiness, and French risque, all of which are connected with the Latin word underlying the modern vocabulary of danger and chance.
How risky is actually used
Common in both formal and informal English. It is often used before nouns such as investment, decision, or behavior, and can also be used predicatively, as in 'the journey is risky.' The word conveys a combination of possible danger and uncertainty.
Easily confused with risky
Risky means involving danger or an uncertain outcome, whereas risqué describes something suggestively sexual or daringly unconventional.