ven·ture
(vĕńchər)
[Middle English, chance, short for aventure, adventure; see adventure.]
noun
- An undertaking that is dangerous, daring, or of uncertain outcome.
- A business enterprise involving some risk in expectation of gain.
- Something, such as money or cargo, at hazard in a risky enterprise.
verb: -tured, -tur·ing, -tures.
transitive verb
- To expose to danger or risk: ventured her entire fortune.
- To brave the dangers of: ventured the high seas in a small boat.
- To express at the risk of denial, criticism, or censure: “I would venture to guess that Anon., who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman” (Virginia Woolf)
intransitive verb
- To take a risk; dare.
- To proceed despite possible danger or risk: ventured into the wilderness.
idioms
- at a venture
- By mere chance or fortune; at random.
derivatives
- veńtur·er
- noun