Cool MateDangerous vs Risky vs Things are getting dicey out here
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dangerous
Risky
Things are getting dicey out here
| Dangerous | Risky | Things are getting dicey out here | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrɪski/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrɪski/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈθɪŋz ə ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈdaɪsi aʊt hɪə//🇺🇸 //ˈθɪŋz ɑr ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈdaɪsi aʊt hɪr// |
| Meaning | likely to cause harm or injury | Something that can cause harm or danger. | Things are becoming risky or uncertain. |
| Example | The roller coaster is too dangerous for young children. | Life as an aid worker can be a **risky business** *(= dangerous)*. | With the storm approaching, I think things are getting dicey out here. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, feel, look, extremely, fairly, very, for, to | be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very | getting dicey, situation is dicey, things are getting sticky, things are getting tough, things might get dicey |
| Antonyms | safe, harmless, secure | safe, secure, certain | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'dangerous' when 'risk' or 'hazardous' is more accurate., Confusing 'dangerous' with 'endangered'., Using 'dengerous' as an adverb; it should only be an adjective. | Confused with 'risky' vs 'riskful' (the latter is not commonly used), Using 'risky' as a noun (it's an adjective), Incorrectly spelling 'risky' as 'risquee' | Using it in a serious business meeting., Confusing 'dicey' with 'nice'., Not using it to describe an unstable situation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'dangerous' to describe things that can cause harm. It's appropriate in most contexts, but be cautious in very casual situations where simpler words may work better. | Use 'risky' when describing actions or decisions that could lead to loss or harm. It's suitable in most contexts, but avoid it in very formal writing. | Use in casual conversation when situations become unstable or dangerous. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dangerous vs Risky vs Things are getting dicey out here
What's the difference between Dangerous, Risky, and Things are getting dicey out here?
Dangerous: likely to cause harm or injury Risky: Something that can cause harm or danger. Things are getting dicey out here: Things are becoming risky or uncertain.
Which is more advanced: Dangerous, Risky, and Things are getting dicey out here?
Risky is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Dangerous: The roller coaster is too dangerous for young children. Risky: Life as an aid worker can be a **risky business** *(= dangerous)*. Things are getting dicey out here: With the storm approaching, I think things are getting dicey out here.
Can I use Dangerous, Risky, and Things are getting dicey out here interchangeably?
Not always. Dangerous, Risky, and Things are getting dicey out here are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.