Risk is the possibility that something bad or unwanted might happen. When you climb a tree, there's a risk you might fall. When you try out for the school play, there's a risk you won't get the part you want. Risk is the chance that things won't turn out the way you hope.

Understanding risk helps you make better decisions. Some risks are worth taking because the possible reward is valuable: trying out for the team means risking disappointment, but it also means you might make the team and have a great season. Other risks aren't worth it: skateboarding without a helmet creates a serious risk of head injury for no real benefit.

Smart people don't avoid all risks. They think about them carefully. Before crossing a busy street, you assess the risk by looking both ways. Before starting a challenging project, you consider the risk that it might not work out. This kind of thinking is called risk assessment.

The word can also be a verb. When you risk something, you put it in danger or accept the possibility of losing it. A chess player might risk her queen to win the game. An inventor risks failure every time he tests a new design, but without taking that risk, he might never create anything new.