Hazard
ˈhæzərd
Definitions
2 meaningsA potential source of harm or danger.
ˈhæzərd
A danger or risk.
The construction site was full of hazards.
💡 Simply: A hazard is something that could hurt you. Like, a slippery floor is a hazard because you could fall.
👶 For kids: A hazard is something that could be dangerous to you, like a sharp rock.
More Examples
Smoking is a significant health hazard.
The weather conditions created a navigational hazard for the ships.
How It's Used
"The icy roads presented a hazard to drivers."
"Fire is a major hazard in the chemical plant."
"Oil spills pose a serious environmental hazard."
To expose to risk or danger; to venture.
ˈhæzərd
To risk or expose to danger.
He wouldn't hazard an opinion without more information.
💡 Simply: To hazard means to do something that might cause harm. Like, if you hazard a guess, you're taking a chance that you might be wrong.
👶 For kids: To hazard something means to risk it, like to try to do something even if you might fail.
More Examples
They decided to hazard a guess at the correct answer.
The explorer was willing to hazard the unknown wilderness.
How It's Used
"He wouldn't hazard his reputation by supporting the controversial project."
"She was willing to hazard the journey despite the risks."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
hazard a guess
To make a guess, often with a degree of uncertainty.
"I'm not sure, but I'll hazard a guess that the meeting will last at least two hours."
From Old French *hasard* 'chance, risk', possibly from Arabic *az-zahr* 'the die'. Originally referred to a game of chance.
The word 'hazard' has been used for centuries, originally related to games of chance, and gradually expanding to encompass broader risks and dangers.
Memory tip
Think of a 'hazard' as something that makes you 'haze' in fear.
Word Origin
"Risk, chance, game of chance, hazard"