Hazard — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈha-zərd/ haz·ard

Meaning & Definition of Hazard

Hazard (noun)

  1. a source of danger
  2. the effect of unpredictable and unanalyzable forces in determining events, chance, risk
  3. a chance event, accident

Hazard (verb)

  1. to offer or present at a risk, venture

Hazard (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that may cause injury or harm

    "the tumbledown old barn was considered a fire hazard"

    similar: danger, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, risk, threat, trouble
    related: snare, trap, booby trap
    near: guard, protection, safeguard, shield, ward, asylum, harbor, haven, refuge, retreat, shelter

  2. the uncertain course of events

    "it was only by hazard and good fortune that we found our way back to the trail"

    similar: accident, casualty (archaic), chance, circumstance, hap, luck
    related: fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty, fluke, happenchance, happenstance, destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot, danger, peril, risk
    near: intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme

Hazard (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to place in danger

    "just so the tourists could see the sea lions up close, the captain needlessly hazarded his ship"

    similar: adventure, compromise, endanger, gamble (with), imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, menace, peril, risk, venture
    related: intimidate, threaten, expose, subject, chance, wager
    near: guard, protect, shelter, shield, preserve, resume, save

  2. to take a chance on

    "was unwilling to hazard landing the plane on the small island, which didn't even have an airfield"

    similar: adventure, chance, gamble (on), risk, tempt, venture, run the risk of
    related: beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face, outbrave, compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace, expose, subject, bet (on), wager

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hazard

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hazard:

Archaic: casualty
danger, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, risk, threat, trouble, accident, chance, circumstance, hap, luck, adventure, compromise, endanger, gamble (with), imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, venture, gamble (on), tempt, run the risk of

Related Words for Hazard

snare, trap, booby trap, fortuitousness, fortuity, haphazardry, randomness, uncertainty, fluke, happenchance, happenstance, destiny, doom, fate, fortune, lot, intimidate, threaten, expose, subject, wager, beard, brave, brazen, breast, challenge, confront, dare, defy, face

Near Antonyms of Hazard

guard, protection, safeguard, shield, ward, asylum, harbor, haven, refuge, retreat, shelter, intent, intention, purpose, design, outline, plan, scheme, protect, preserve, resume, save

Word Forms of Hazard

Inflections: hazards, hazarded, hazarding

Origin & Etymology of Hazard

Middle English, from Anglo-French hasard, from Old Spanish azar, from Arabic al-zahr the die

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hazard

Words & Phrases Containing Hazard

hazard lights, hazard pay, at hazard, moral hazard, occupational hazard, traffic hazard

Frequently Asked Questions about Hazard

What does "Hazard" mean?

"Hazard" means a source of danger. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a source of danger. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hazard"?

Other words for "Hazard" include danger, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, risk, threat and trouble. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hazard" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hazard"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hazard". Common alternatives include danger, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, risk, threat, trouble, accident and casualty.

How do you use "Hazard" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hazard" in a sentence: "the tumbledown old barn was considered a fire hazard"; "it was only by hazard and good fortune that we found our way back to the trail"; "just so the tourists could see the sea lions up close, the captain needlessly hazarded his ship".

Is "Hazard" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hazard" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Hazard" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Hazard" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Hazard"?

"Hazard" is pronounced /ˈha-zərd/ and divided into syllables as haz·ard.

What is the origin of the word "Hazard"?

"Hazard" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French hasard, from Old Spanish azar, from Arabic al-zahr the die. First known use: 14th century.