Word
adventurous
Phoneticsad·ven·tur·ous, stress on the second syllable
US/ædˈvɛntʃɝəs/
UK/ɐdvˈɛntʃəɹəs/
Definitions
01willing to take risks
B1 · Intermediate
adj. willing to try new or difficult things, or enjoying exciting experiences.
adj. inclined to engage in new or risky experiences; possessing a daring or enterprising spirit.
“The adventurous travelers decided to hike through the jungle without a guide.”
“An adventurous entrepreneur might see a market crash not as a disaster, but as a unique opportunity to invest in emerging technologies.”
Usage
Usually describes people, their character, or their choices.
Teaching tip
In modern English, this is almost always a positive trait, suggesting courage and curiosity rather than recklessness.
Synonyms
02full of risk or excitement
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. full of danger, excitement, and new experiences.
adj. characterised by risk, hazard, or excitement; involving a series of bold or dangerous events.
“They had an adventurous trip across the mountains, despite the bad weather.”
“The memoir details the author's adventurous life as a war correspondent in the late twentieth century.”
Usage
Often modifies nouns like 'life', 'trip', 'journey', or 'career'.
Teaching tip
When applied to an event or period of time, it implies that many unexpected things happened.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English aventurous, aunterous, auntrous, from Old French aventuros (whence French aventureux). By surface analysis, adventure + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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