noun
Uncommon
peril
PEH-rihl
Peril (noun) means a situation of serious, immediate danger. Example: “The hikers were in peril when the storm hit the mountain.”
noun
1
A situation of serious, immediate danger.
"The hikers were in peril when the storm hit the mountain."
"She rescued the child from peril without a second thought."
2
A specific danger or risk, especially one covered by an insurance policy.
"Fire and flood are two perils the policy covers."
How to use peril
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSerious danger, or a specific thing that could cause harm.
Common mistake
Mostly used as a noun in formal or dramatic writing; the verb form ("to peril") is rare — "imperil" is far more common.
Common pairings
in peril
grave peril
perils of
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like peril.
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
- perils
- Third person singular
- perils
- Past tense
- periled, perilled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hikers were in _____ when the storm hit the mountain.
Etymology
From Old French peril, from Latin periculum ("danger, risk, trial").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “peril” mean?
The word “peril” means a situation of serious, immediate danger. In plain terms, serious danger, or a specific thing that could cause harm.
How do you pronounce “peril”?
“Peril” is pronounced PEH-rihl (/ˈpɛɹɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “peril” in a sentence?
Here is “peril” used in a sentence: “The hikers were in peril when the storm hit the mountain.”
What is another word for “peril”?
Words with a similar meaning to “peril” include danger, hazard, jeopardy, risk and threat.
What part of speech is “peril”?
“Peril” is a noun.
Where does the word “peril” come from?
The word “peril” comes from Latin. From Old French peril, from Latin periculum ("danger, risk, trial").
Is “peril” a common word?
“Peril” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “peril” have?
“Peril” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a situation of serious, immediate danger.
