Dangerously

ˈdeɪndʒərəsli

adverbIntermediate📊CommonAction
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

In a manner or to a degree that poses a threat or risk of harm, injury, or loss.

ˈdeɪndʒərəsli

adverbnegativeIntermediate
Action

In a way that involves or causes danger; perilously.

The ship sailed dangerously close to the rocks.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game and pushing the limits. Doing something dangerously is like taking a big risk, like going too fast on a bike or climbing too high on a tree. It's when you're putting yourself or others in a risky spot!

👶 For kids: When you do something in a way that could hurt you or others.

More Examples

2

He drove dangerously down the icy road.

3

The fire spread dangerously through the dry forest.

How It's Used

General Usage

"The car was driven dangerously fast."

Environment

"The river flooded dangerously."

Medicine

"His blood pressure rose dangerously."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

dangerously close

Very near, with a high risk of something bad happening.

"The building's fire escape was dangerously close to collapse."

dangerously ill

Very sick; in a way that threatens death or serious health issues.

"The patient was considered dangerously ill and needed immediate care."

From "dangerous" + "-ly". "Dangerous" comes from Old French "dangereus" (powerful, perilous), from "danger" (power, authority).

Used since the late 16th century, with a gradual shift from describing the nature of something to describing the way in which an action is performed.

Memory tip

Think of a dangerous situation and how someone might act in it: recklessly.

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"perilous, powerful"

dangerously closedangerously illdangerously fastdangerously highdangerously low

Common misspellings

dangerouslysdangerouslyly

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written