Venturous means willing to take risks or try new, uncertain things. A venturous explorer might set off into unmapped territory, not knowing exactly what lies ahead but excited to find out. A venturous student might volunteer to perform a difficult piano piece at the recital, even though they're a little nervous.

When you're venturous, you don't let fear of the unknown stop you from trying something new. You might be venturous when you order an unfamiliar dish at a restaurant, try out for a sport you've never played before, or raise your hand to answer a challenging question in class.

Venturous is similar to adventurous, but it often carries a stronger sense of deliberately taking a risk. An adventurous person loves new experiences; a venturous person is willing to face real uncertainty or danger to achieve something worthwhile. The venturous pioneers who traveled west across America in covered wagons faced genuine hardships and unknown challenges, but they believed the possible rewards were worth the risks.

Being venturous doesn't mean being reckless. It means thoughtfully choosing to step into uncertainty because you believe in what you might discover, learn, or accomplish, and taking sensible precautions along the way.