dangerous
DAYN-zhruhs
Dangerous (adj) means Likely to cause harm, injury, or death. Example: “It is dangerous to leave a hot pan unattended on the cooker.”
adj
1
Likely to cause harm, injury, or death.
"It is dangerous to leave a hot pan unattended on the cooker."
"Swimming in that current is dangerous."
"He has a history of dangerous driving."
"And the Duke thought: The truth could be worse than he imagines, but even dangerous facts are valuable if you’ve been trained to deal with them. And there’s one place where nothing has been spared for my son—dealing with dangerous facts."
— Frank Herbert, Book I: Dune (1965)
How to use dangerous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble or likely to cause harm.
Common pairings
dangerous conditions
potentially dangerous
extremely dangerous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more dangerous, dangerouser
- Superlative
- most dangerous, dangerousest
Fill the gap
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It is _____ to leave a hot pan unattended on the cooker.
Etymology
From Old French dangereus ("threatening, difficult"), from dangier — the same root as "danger."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for dangerous
See all rhymes for dangerous →Frequently asked questions
What does “dangerous” mean?
The word “dangerous” means likely to cause harm, injury, or death. In plain terms, able or likely to cause harm.
How do you pronounce “dangerous”?
“Dangerous” is pronounced DAYN-zhruhs (/ˈdeɪn.d͡ʒ(ə.)ɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “dangerous” in a sentence?
Here is “dangerous” used in a sentence: “Swimming in that current is dangerous.”
What is another word for “dangerous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dangerous” include dangersome, hazardous, jeopardous, wicked, parlous and periculous.
What is the opposite of “dangerous”?
The opposite of “dangerous” — its antonyms — are safe, secure and unhazardous.
What part of speech is “dangerous”?
“Dangerous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dangerous” come from?
The word “dangerous” comes from Old French. From Old French dangereus ("threatening, difficult"), from dangier — the same root as "danger.".
Is “dangerous” a common word?
“Dangerous” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'dangerous' and 'risky'?
'Dangerous' describes something with a real capacity to cause harm, injury, or death — a dangerous animal, a dangerous road. 'Risky' focuses on the chance of a bad outcome, not necessarily physical harm; a risky investment might cost you money. Dangerous stresses the threat itself, while risky stresses the probability.
What is the difference between 'dangerous' and 'hazardous'?
Both mean likely to cause harm, but 'hazardous' is more technical and often used for materials, chemicals, or working conditions — hazardous waste, hazardous fumes. 'Dangerous' is the everyday word and applies to almost anything, from a dangerous driver to a dangerous cliff edge. The two frequently overlap in meaning.
What is the opposite of 'dangerous'?
The opposite of 'dangerous' is 'safe' — free from the risk of harm. 'Harmless', 'secure', and 'risk-free' are close alternatives. A safe route poses no threat; a harmless creature cannot hurt you. The best word depends on whether you mean protected from danger or simply incapable of causing it.
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