adventure
uhd-VEHN-chuh
Adventure (noun) means an exciting or unusual experience, often involving some risk or the unknown. Example: “Backpacking across South America was the adventure of a lifetime.”
noun
1
An exciting or unusual experience, often involving some risk or the unknown.
"Backpacking across South America was the adventure of a lifetime."
"The kids treated the school trip like a grand adventure."
"Sailing alone around the coast was a real adventure for her."
verb
1
To take a risk by venturing into something uncertain.
"She adventured into the jungle with only a small map and a lot of courage."
"They adventured on a risky new project, unsure whether it would pay off."
"He adventured into business without any real experience."
How to use adventure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn exciting, often risky, experience or undertaking.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sense of adventure
go on an adventure
adventure game
seek adventure
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Word forms
- Plural
- adventures
- Third person singular
- adventures
- Past tense
- adventured
- Archaic forms
- adventurest, adventuredst, adventureth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Backpacking across South America was the _____ of a lifetime.
Etymology
From Old French aventure, ultimately from Latin adventurus, "about to arrive" — in the Romance languages it came to mean "to happen" or "to befall."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for adventure
See all rhymes for adventure →Frequently asked questions
What does “adventure” mean?
The word “adventure” means an exciting or unusual experience, often involving some risk or the unknown. In plain terms, an exciting, often risky, experience or undertaking.
How do you pronounce “adventure”?
“Adventure” is pronounced uhd-VEHN-chuh (/ədˈvɛn.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “adventure” in a sentence?
Here is “adventure” used in a sentence: “Backpacking across South America was the adventure of a lifetime.”
What part of speech is “adventure”?
Depending on how it is used, “adventure” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “adventure” come from?
The word “adventure” comes from Latin. From Old French aventure, ultimately from Latin adventurus, "about to arrive" — in the Romance languages it came to mean "to happen" or "to befall.".
Is “adventure” a common word?
“Adventure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “adventure” have?
“Adventure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an exciting or unusual experience, often involving some risk or the unknown.
What is an example of an adventure?
Backpacking alone through a country you have never visited is a classic adventure: exciting, unfamiliar, and a little risky. So is learning to sail, exploring a cave, or starting a business. Adventures range from grand expeditions to small leaps outside your routine; what counts is the thrill of the unknown.
What is the difference between an adventure and a journey?
A journey is simply travel from one place to another, and can be routine or dull. An adventure adds excitement, novelty, and an element of risk or the unknown. Every adventure may involve a journey, but a daily commute is a journey without being an adventure. Adventure is about the experience, not the distance.
Is adventure a positive word?
Generally yes. Adventure suggests excitement, discovery, and the thrill of stepping into the unknown, which most people find appealing. It can carry a hint of danger, but that risk is usually part of the attraction. Occasionally it is used wryly, as when a chaotic trip is called quite an adventure, but the tone stays fond.
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