Risky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Risky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that involves danger or the possibility of loss or harm. Example: "Investing in volatile stocks can be quite risky, especially for inexperienced investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Money

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People who worked 49-54 hours a week ran a 13% higher risk of developing a "risky alcohol use" habit compared to counterparts who worked a 35-40-hour 35-40-hour 35-40-hour work week

The Guardian

The increased risk of developing a "risky" drinking habit from over-work was small in absolute terms, Okechukwu said.

The Guardian

Berlin has already made perfectly clear that any changes to European treaties would be too risky.

The Guardian

Putting gardens on to roofs can be a risky business, and the garden at the School of Oriental and African Studies was no exception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bullock is one of about 100 managers appointed by Network Rail since 2010, with the job of eliminating as many risky level crossings as possible.

The Guardian

The financing of such outdated, dirty and highly risky technology should be averted by all means".

The Guardian

And there were anxious murmurs from the sector earlier this month when Eco-Actif – a community interest company spin-out and sub-contractor providing support for the long-term jobless in south- east London – went into voluntary liquidation, claiming its banks considered the Work Programme too financially risky.

The Guardian

Buying individual stocks is risky but you can spread the risk by buying a fund.

The Guardian - Money

The research by KPMG comes as analysis pointed to a 64% increase since 2010 in new mortgage lending that would be viewed as risky by the Bank of England.

The Guardian - Business

"Risky" alcohol use was defined as consuming more than 21 units per week for men and more than 14 units per week for women.

The Guardian - Money

The study found the association between risky alcohol use and lengthy working hours to be independent of age, gender or even socioeconomic status.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "risky" to convey a calculated potential for loss, whereas in informal contexts, it can simply mean something exciting or daring.

Common error

Avoid using "risky" as a vague descriptor. Instead, specify what makes something risky. For example, instead of saying "That's a risky plan", say "That plan is risky because it relies on uncertain market conditions."

Linguistic Context

The adjective "risky" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, describing nouns by indicating a probability of negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing examples where "risky" qualifies investments, behaviors, plans, and decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Money

4%

Less common in

Opinion

1%

Sport

0.5%

Travel

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "risky" is a versatile adjective used to describe situations, actions, or investments with a potential for negative outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "risky" is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news, business, and finance contexts. While alternatives like "hazardous" or "perilous" exist, "risky" offers a balanced tone suitable for diverse writing styles. When using "risky", ensure you provide adequate context to specify the nature and potential consequences of the risk involved. Overall, Ludwig's analysis suggests that "risky" is a reliable and widely understood term for conveying potential danger or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hazardous

Emphasizes the presence of danger and potential harm.

perilous

Highlights the severity and imminence of the danger involved.

precarious

Suggests instability and a high likelihood of failure or collapse.

chancy

Implies that the outcome is uncertain and dependent on luck.

uncertain

Focuses on the lack of predictability and the possibility of negative results.

speculative

Describes something based on conjecture rather than firm knowledge, often in a financial context.

unstable

Indicates a lack of firmness or security, potentially leading to failure.

dodgy

Suggests something unreliable or of questionable quality, often implying potential fraud or illegality.

tenuous

Implies a weak or fragile connection or situation, easily disrupted.

insecure

Highlights the lack of safety or stability.

FAQs

How can I use "risky" in a sentence?

You can use "risky" to describe situations, actions, or investments that involve a high probability of failure or loss. For example, "Investing in penny stocks is a "risky" venture".

What can I say instead of "risky"?

You can use alternatives like "hazardous", "perilous", or "precarious" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "risky" or "riskful"?

"Risky" is the commonly accepted term. "Riskful" is rarely used and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "risky" and "dangerous"?

"Risky" implies a potential for loss or harm, while "dangerous" suggests a more immediate and significant threat. A "risky" investment might lose money, while a "dangerous" situation could cause physical injury.