jeopardy - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
jeopardy Word Meanings
- danger or risk of loss
- a situation involving exposure to harm
- a perilous situation
jeopardy Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
jeopardy Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈdʒɛpədi/
US
/ˈdʒɛpərdi/
jeopardy Word Etymology
jeopardy is derived from 'jeu parti' (to play a game), indicating that you are in a game where stakes are involved. Imagine a high-stakes game where losing means facing dire consequences, reminding you of the risks involved.
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 InputReal Context
Jeopardy is a noun meaning danger or risk of loss. It can describe a situation where someone or something is exposed to harm, such as a neglected building in jeopardy of collapse, a company in jeopardy after a cyberattack, or a person whose health is in jeopardy due to a chronic illness. The word often emphasizes the fragility of a position, finances, reputation, or safety, and it is less about everyday risk and more about high-stakes vulnerability. In legal language, a defendant is in jeopardy when facing charges and the possibility of conviction. The etymology traces to the French jeu parti, meaning a game where the stakes are uncertain, underscoring that the outcome remains unsettled.
Usage Reminders
- Jeopardy is a noun that describes risk, not a verb or adjective.
- Use 'in jeopardy' to describe a situation with high risk.
- Think high stakes, not everyday danger.
- Avoid mixing with the game show Jeopardy! (proper noun).
- Its verb form is jeopardize, not jeopardize as a noun.
- Examples like 'in jeopardy of extinction' show collocation.
Common Misconceptions
- Jeopardy = danger in all contexts; it always means physical harm.
- Jeopardy can be used as a verb in English.
- Jeopardy and risk are interchangeable in every sentence.
- Jeopardy is only used in formal legal contexts.
- The game show Jeopardy! is the general meaning of the word.
Thinking Differences
Jeopardy represents a high-risk state where the outcome is uncertain. English tends to fix this with precise phrases like 'in jeopardy' and often registers the danger as a threat to future outcomes (life, finances, reputation). Learners may over-generalize to 'danger' or shift to 'jeopardize' as a noun; remember jeopardy is the state, jeopardize is the verb that puts it at risk.
Learning Tips
- Learn the exact part of speech (noun) first.
- Remember the fixed phrase 'in jeopardy'.
- Differentiate jeopardy from jeopardize (noun vs verb).
- Link to high-stakes contexts (law, finance, safety).
- Avoid confusing with the game show Jeopardy! (proper noun).
- Practice with collocations like 'in jeopardy of extinction'.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'jeopardy'?
A.Danger
B.Happiness
C.Laughter
D.Confusion
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'jeopardy' correctly?
A.The cat purred in jeopardy.
B.He felt jeopardy when surrounded by friends.
C.The jeopardy of the situation made her smile.
D.She was in jeopardy after winning the lottery.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'jeopardy'?
A.Safety
B.Risk
C.Delight
D.Peace
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an antonym for 'jeopardy'?
A.Hazard
B.Peril
C.Threat
D.Security
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context might someone experience 'jeopardy'?
A.Walking in a safe park
B.Swimming in a shallow pool
C.Crossing a busy street without looking
D.Staying at home with family
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