Jeopardy | Definition of jeopardy by Merriam-Webster

Definition of JEOPARDY

1

: exposure to or imminence of death, loss, or injury : danger

2

: the danger that an accused person is subjected to when on trial for a criminal offense

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Origin of JEOPARDY

Middle English jeopardie, from Anglo-French juparti, jeuparti alternative, literally, divided game

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JEOPARDY

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

Antonyms: safeness, safety, secureness, security

Definition of JEOPARDY for Kids

: danger 1 <The wrong choice could put your future in jeopardy.>

Word History of JEOPARDY

In French jeu parti means literally “divided game.” This phrase was used in medieval France for situations involving alternative possibilities, such as a chess game where a player could not be sure which of two plays would be better. In this sense jeu parti was borrowed into English as jeopardie. It came to be applied to any situation involving equal chances for success or failure. Gradually, the element of risk or danger in such a choice became the word's meaning.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "jeopardy"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "jeopardy"

Nglish: Translation of "jeopardy" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "jeopardy" for Arabic speakers

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