Cool MateDanger vs Hazard
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Danger
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Hazard
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Danger
| Danger | Hazard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdeɪndʒə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdeɪndʒər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhæzəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhæzərd/"]/ |
| Meaning | A situation where something bad can happen. | Something that can cause harm or danger. |
| Example | The storm brought a danger to the village. | The slippery floors are a serious hazard in the factory. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, considerable, enormous, be exposed to, face, be fraught with, await, exist, face somebody, area, point, spot, in danger, in danger of, out of danger, be off the danger list, be on the danger list, big, considerable, enormous, be exposed to, face, be fraught with, await, exist, face somebody, area, point, spot, in danger, in danger of, out of danger, be off the danger list, be on the danger list, big, considerable, enormous, be exposed to, face, be fraught with, await, exist, face somebody, area, point, spot, in danger, in danger of, out of danger, be off the danger list, be on the danger list | big, great, major, cause, create, pose, hazard for, hazard to, exposure to a hazard |
| Antonyms | safety, security, protection | safety, security |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'dangerous' as the same word., Using in positive contexts (danger is negative)., Overusing in casual dialogues, leading to ambiguity. | 'Hazard' confused with 'hazards' in plural form., 'Hazard' used incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun., Mixing up 'hazard' with 'risk' when describing dangers. |
| Usage notes | Used in both written and spoken contexts. Appropriate for discussions about safety, risk, or warnings. Avoid in overly casual conversations. | Use 'hazard' when discussing risks or dangers, especially in safety contexts. It's appropriate for formal writing and discussions but may feel too technical in casual conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Danger vs Hazard
What's the difference between Danger and Hazard?
Danger: A situation where something bad can happen. Hazard: Something that can cause harm or danger.
Which is more common: Danger and Hazard?
Danger is the most common in everyday English.
Are Danger and Hazard the same CEFR level?
Danger: A2, Hazard: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Danger and Hazard interchangeably?
Not always. Danger and Hazard 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.