dangerous - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
dangerous Word Meanings
- likely to cause harm or injury
- full of danger
- posing a threat or risk
dangerous Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
dangerous Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
US
/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/
dangerous Word Etymology
dangerous: danger (from Latin *dēnĕgāre) + -ous (full of). Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory Image: Imagine a warning sign in a dark forest, signaling harm ahead, symbolizing the threat of danger in your path.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
You reach toward the unknown, and you turn your wrist to test the weather of risk. The room seems to shift as you adjust your stance and keep your eyes on what could go wrong. You gently push forward, then pull back, watching the scene change with every small move. In that moment you feel the danger as a weight you learn to handle, not a word you hear.
Real Context
Dangerous is an everyday adjective used for things, situations, or actions that could cause harm or injury. In English we often pair it with concrete nouns like road, animal, chemical, or activity to highlight risk, but it can also describe people’s behavior when it shows a potential for harm. The nuance is practical rather than moral; something dangerous is not necessarily wicked, it is unstable, unpredictable, or hazardous enough to require caution. Common collocations include dangerous road, dangerous situation, dangerous driving, and dangerous substances. Learners should distinguish dangerous from safe, and from riskier synonyms such as risky or hazardous, choosing dangerous when harm is a real possibility.
Usage Reminders
- Don’t say safe for everything; remember dangerous is for real risk. Use dangerous with nouns that can injure. It’s not a moral judgment. Pair with be, stay, road, situation. Distinguish from risky and hazardous by strength of danger. Practice common collocations. Be aware of pronunciation: the first syllable is stressed.
Common Misconceptions
- Dangerous always means immoral or evil.
- If something is dangerous, you must avoid it completely.
- Dangerous and hazard are exact synonyms.
- Dangerous only describes people, not objects or situations.
- You can use dangerous with every noun without coaching.
Thinking Differences
English uses dangerous primarily as a direct label of risk without moral judgment; learners often mix it with phrases for moral condemnation or replace it with unsafe or risky in the wrong contexts.
Learning Tips
- Pair dangerous with specific dangerous nouns (road, animal, substance).
- Compare with safe and with risky or hazardous to feel nuance.
- Listen for be + dangerous in statements of risk.
- Practice common collocations in real-life contexts.
- Notice intonation when saying dangerous (stress on first syllable).
- Use a safety-conscious mindset in scenarios that involve potential harm.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence below uses 'dangerous' correctly?
A.The weather was dangerous outside, so the children played indoors.
B.She petted her cat in a dangerous manner, causing it to purr loudly.
C.He wore a helmet while riding his bike, which made the activity dangerous.
D.Eating vegetables is dangerous for your health.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'dangerous'?
A.Hazardous
B.Cautious
C.Safe
D.Protected
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'dangerous'?
A.Brave
B.Risky
C.Harmless
D.Adventurous
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life scenario that can be described as 'perilous'?
A.The amusement park ride was very exciting and thrilling.
B.Cooking a meal for your family is a daily routine.
C.Driving in a car with faulty brakes can be extremely perilous.
D.Reading a book on a lazy Sunday afternoon
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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