peril

[per-uhl]

noun

1. exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger.

   They faced the peril of falling rocks.

2. something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction.

verb (used with object)

periled, periling , perilled, perilling .

1. to expose to danger; imperil; risk.

peril

/ ˈpɛrɪl /

noun

1. exposure to risk or harm; danger or jeopardy

Other Word Forms

• perilless adjective
• multiperil adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peril¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin perīculum “danger, test, trial,” from perī-, verb base meaning “try” (also found in the compound experīrī “to try, test”; experience ) + -culum -cle ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of peril¹

C13: via Old French from Latin perīculum

Synonym Study

See danger.

Example Sentences

“The scary part was he was in real need of help,” said Charlie, marveling at how even someone with so much experience and training could fall into so much peril when separated from essentials.

From Los Angeles Times

Unified fail to keep pace with declining enrollment, creating financial peril.

From Los Angeles Times

Wearing a suit jacket and tie, with a full head of hair and a confident look on his face, he symbolized the potential and peril of being a Mexican American in the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Those concerns were sharpened at a moment when L.A.’s future as a film capital is in peril.

From Los Angeles Times

Former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke set forth the perils of political influence on the Fed in 2020, warning that central banks subjected to political pressure might “overstimulate the economy to achieve short-term ... gains.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hazard 
• insecurity 
• jeopardy 
• menace 
• pitfall 
• uncertainty 
• vulnerability