hazard
HA-zuhd
Hazard (noun) means a source of danger or risk of harm. Example: “A toy left on the stairs can become a real hazard for anyone carrying a tray.”
noun
1
A source of danger or risk of harm.
"A toy left on the stairs can become a real hazard for anyone carrying a tray."
"Loose wiring is a serious fire hazard."
"The icy pavement was a hazard for pedestrians."
2
An obstacle on a golf course, such as a bunker or water feature.
"She avoided the sand hazard by hitting a short, careful shot to the left."
"Several players found the bunker hazard guarding the green and lost a stroke."
"His ball landed right in the water hazard on the ninth hole."
verb
1
To risk or venture something, or to make a guess.
"Would you care to hazard a guess about tomorrow's weather?"
"He would not hazard his savings on such a risky plan."
"I'll hazard a guess that we're already late."
How to use hazard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA danger, risk, or obstacle — or, as a verb, to take a risk or offer a guess.
Common pairings
health hazard
fire hazard
hazard a guess
occupational hazard
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hazard.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- hazards
- Third person singular
- hazards
- Past tense
- hazarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A toy left on the stairs can become a real _____ for anyone carrying a tray.
Etymology
From Old French hasart, a dice game, ultimately from Arabic az-zahr ("the dice") — the sense of "risk" grew out of gambling.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hazard
See all rhymes for hazard →Frequently asked questions
What does “hazard” mean?
The word “hazard” means a source of danger or risk of harm. In plain terms, a danger, risk, or obstacle — or, as a verb, to take a risk or offer a guess.
How do you pronounce “hazard”?
“Hazard” is pronounced HA-zuhd (/ˈhæzɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hazard” in a sentence?
Here is “hazard” used in a sentence: “Loose wiring is a serious fire hazard.”
What is another word for “hazard”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hazard” include luck.
What part of speech is “hazard”?
Depending on how it is used, “hazard” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hazard” come from?
The word “hazard” comes from Old French. From Old French hasart, a dice game, ultimately from Arabic az-zahr ("the dice") — the sense of "risk" grew out of gambling.
Is “hazard” a common word?
“Hazard” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “hazard” have?
“Hazard” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a source of danger or risk of harm.
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is a source of potential harm, such as a wet floor, a chemical, or an exposed wire. Risk is the chance that the hazard will actually cause harm, together with how serious that harm would be. Safety training keeps the two apart: the wet floor is the hazard, and the likelihood of someone slipping on it is the risk.
What is a hazard in golf?
In golf, a hazard is an obstacle built into the course to punish wayward shots, most commonly a sand bunker or a water feature such as a pond or stream. Playing out of a hazard is harder and often costs the player strokes.
What is the difference between hazard and danger?
A hazard is a specific source of possible harm, such as an icy pavement or faulty wiring. Danger is the broader state of being exposed to harm. An inspector lists hazards on a safety report; a person is in danger when a hazard is about to hurt them.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include hazard:
