dangerous

adjective dan·ger·ous \ˈdān-jə-rəs; ˈdān-jərs, -zhrəs\

: involving possible injury, harm, or death : characterized by danger

: able or likely to cause injury, pain, harm, etc.

Full Definition of DANGEROUS

: exposing to or involving danger <a dangerous job>

: able or likely to inflict injury or harm <a dangerous man>

— dan·ger·ous·ly adverb

— dan·ger·ous·ness noun

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See dangerous defined for kids

First Known Use of DANGEROUS

15th century

Related to DANGEROUS

Synonyms: grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, perilous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, unsafe, venturesome

Antonyms: harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening

Synonym Discussion of DANGEROUS

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully <soldiers on a dangerous mission>. hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure <claims that smoking is hazardous to your health>. precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty <earned a precarious living by gambling>. perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger <perilous mountain roads>. risky often applies to a known and accepted danger <shied away from risky investments>.

DANGEROUS Defined for Kids