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dangerous
/ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs/
able to harm or cause injury
That snake is dangerous.
The snake can harm or hurt you.
general
able or likely to cause harm or injury
Driving at high speeds is dangerous.
High-speed driving can cause accidents.
The chemicals in the lab are dangerous if mishandled.
Improper handling of lab chemicals can lead to injury.
Often used to describe situations, animals, or substances that pose a threat.
Collocations
dangerous situationa scenario where harm is likelydangerous animala creature that can cause injurydangerous drivingreckless or unsafe operation of a vehicle
Pro Tip
Avoiding Confusion with 'Danger'
'Dangerous' describes something that *can* cause harm, while 'danger' is the *state* of being exposed to harm. For example: 'A lion is dangerous' (adjective) vs. 'There is danger in the jungle' (noun).
Gold Rule
Check Context for Figurative Meaning
While 'dangerous' often refers to physical harm, it can also describe emotional or social risks (e.g., 'dangerous liaisons'). Always consider the context.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'daungerous', from Old French 'dangereus', derived from 'danger' (harm or peril), ultimately from Latin 'dominus' (master, lord) via Vulgar Latin '*dominarius' (of or relating to a lord). The sense of 'harm' evolved from the idea of being under the power of a threatening force.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe physical danger (e.g., 'dangerous roads') or metaphorical threats (e.g., 'dangerous ideas'). Avoid using for non-threatening situations.
Word Breakdown
danger
harm or peril
root-ous
having the quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary