¹danger

noun dan·ger \ˈdān-jər\

: the possibility that you will be hurt or killed

: the possibility that something unpleasant or bad will happen

: a person or thing that is likely to cause injury, pain, harm, or loss

Full Definition of DANGER

a archaic : jurisdiction

b obsolete : reach, range

obsolete : harm, damage

: exposure or liability to injury, pain, harm, or loss <a place where children could play without danger>

: a case or cause of danger <the dangers of mining>

See danger defined for English-language learners

See danger defined for kids

Origin of DANGER

Middle English daunger, from Anglo-French dangier, dongier, from Vulgar Latin *dominiarium, from Latin dominium ownership

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DANGER

Synonyms: distress, endangerment, harm's way, imperilment, jeopardy, peril, risk, trouble

Antonyms: safeness, safety, secureness, security

Rhymes with DANGER

changer, granger, manger, ranger, stranger

²danger

verb

Definition of DANGER

transitive verb

archaic

: endanger

First Known Use of DANGER

14th century

DANGER Defined for Kids

danger

noun dan·ger \ˈdān-jər\

Definition of DANGER for Kids

: the state of not being protected from harm or evil : peril <With my cat around, the mice are in danger.>

: something that may cause injury or harm <Astronauts brave the dangers of space travel.>

Synonym Discussion of DANGER

danger, hazard, and risk mean a chance of loss, injury, or death. danger is used for a harm that may or may not be avoided. <This animal is in danger of extinction.> hazard is usually used for a great danger. <They're trying to reduce the hazards of mining.> risk is used for a chance of danger that a person accepts. <There are risks that come with flying a plane.>