# venture

/ˈvɛntʃɝ/ (US) · /vˈɛntʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/venture
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a business project

noun · CEFR B2

a new business activity or project that involves taking a risk in order to succeed.

For teachers: a commercial enterprise or business undertaking that involves a degree of financial risk.

- The two tech companies started a joint venture to develop new solar panels.
- The success of the overseas venture depended entirely on the stability of the local currency and the reliability of regional distributors.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'joint venture' to describe two companies working together.

### 2. to go somewhere risky

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to go somewhere that might be dangerous or unpleasant.

For teachers: to travel or move into a place that is unknown or potentially dangerous. Often used as an intransitive verb followed by a prepositional phrase.

- Few tourists venture into the deep forest without a local guide.
- Despite the approaching storm, the small fishing boat ventured further out into the open sea in search of a better catch.

### 3. to say something tentatively

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to say something even though you are not sure if it is right or if people will like it.

For teachers: to offer a statement, opinion, or suggestion in a cautious or tentative manner. Transitive use, often taking a direct object like 'an opinion' or 'a guess'.

- I would like to venture a guess about why the machine stopped working.
- She ventured a polite criticism during the meeting, though she knew the director rarely welcomed dissenting views.

## Examples

- Their latest business venture is a small coffee shop downtown.
- The two tech companies decided to launch a joint venture to develop new battery technology for electric vehicles.
- While the initial capital requirements were high, the potential returns on the deep-sea mining venture justified the significant risk for the private equity firm.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.