Word
threat
US/ˈθɹɛt/
UK/θɹˈɛt/
Definitions
01intent to harm
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a statement or message saying that someone will hurt you or punish you if you do not do what they want.
n. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, or loss on someone in retaliation for or conditional upon some action or course.
日本語:脅し※
“The company received a serious threat from a group of hackers yesterday.”
“The anonymous caller issued a direct threat against the witness, warning of severe consequences if she chose to testify in court.”
Pitfall
He made a threat for me.
He made a threat against me.
When a threat is directed at a person, use the preposition 'against'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02potential danger
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the possibility that something very bad or dangerous will happen in the future.
n. the state of being at risk; an indication of imminent danger or an undesirable future event.
日本語:脅威※
“Rising sea levels are a major threat to many coastal cities.”
“Economists warned that the sudden increase in oil prices posed a significant threat to the stability of the global recovery.”
03a dangerous person or thing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person or thing that is likely to cause damage or trouble.
n. a person, object, or force regarded as a source of danger or a menace.
日本語:脅威※
“The escaped tiger was seen as a threat to the local village.”
“The intelligence agency identified the rogue software as a persistent threat to national infrastructure security.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “threat” in context.
Verb
01. reduce threat
“The new security measures are designed to reduce the threat of cyber attacks.”
verb + noun
Adjective
02. significant threat
“Pollution poses a significant threat to the survival of many marine species.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“He said: “Japan has identified Russia as a major source of threats.” “Huda is a 41-year-old engineering graduate who fled death threats in Tunisia with her two daughters, one of whom has serious health conditions.” Etymology
From Middle English threte, thret, thrat, thræt, threat, from Old English þrēat (“crowd, swarm, troop, army, press; pressure, trouble, calamity, oppression, force, violence, threat”), from Proto-Germanic þrautaz, closely tied to Proto-Germanic þrautą (“displeasure, complaint, grievance, labour, toil”), from Proto-Indo-European *trewd- (“to squeeze, push, press”), whence also Middle Low German drōt (“threat, menace, danger”), Middle High German drōz (“annoyance, disgust, horror, terror, fright”), Icelandic þraut (“struggle, labour, distress”), Russian труд (trud, “work, labour”), Polish trud (“hard work”), Latin trūdō (“push”, verb).
From Middle English threten, from Old English þrēatian (“to press, oppress, repress, correct, threaten”). Akin to Middle Dutch drōten (“to threaten”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/threat
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0