hazardous
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
dangerous and likely to cause harm or an accident.
involving great risk or danger, particularly in relation to physical safety or environmental health.
Simple“The stairs were hazardous because they were covered in a thin layer of ice.”
In context“The factory was forced to close temporarily after inspectors discovered that hazardous chemicals were being stored in leaking containers near the river.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
depending on luck or chance rather than a plan.
dependent on chance or fortune; unpredictable in nature.
Simple“The traveler took a hazardous path through the woods, hoping for good luck.”
In context“In the poet's view, life was a hazardous journey where one's fate rested entirely on the whims of fortune.”
UsageIn modern English, this sense is almost entirely replaced by 'risky' or 'uncertain'.
SynonymsAntonyms
“On Tuesday, six areas in Sarawak recorded hazardous air quality, with readings above 300 on Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index.”
“Household hazardous waste and electronic waste drop off is free of charge.”
From Middle French hasardeux, equivalent to hazard + -ous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.