Cool MateDanger vs Hazard vs Menace vs Peril vs Risk
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Danger
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Hazard
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Menace
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Peril
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)C2noun
Risk
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most formal: Peril
| Danger | Hazard | Menace | Peril | Risk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdeɪndʒə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdeɪndʒər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhæzəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhæzərd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈmɛnəs//🇺🇸 //ˈmɛnɪs// | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɛrɪl//🇺🇸 //ˈpɛrəl// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪsk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪsk/"]/ |
| Meaning | A situation where something bad can happen. | Something that can cause harm or danger. | A threat or danger to someone or something. | Serious danger or risk. | the chance of something bad happening |
| Example | The storm brought a danger to the village. | The slippery floors are a serious hazard in the factory. | The storm was a menace to the coastal towns. | The explorers faced great peril as they navigated through the treacherous mountains. | There is a risk involved in investing in the stock market. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 | C1 | C2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun | 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 | menace to society, menace from, menace of violence | live in peril, face peril, put in peril, perilous situation, sense of peril | big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk, big, considerable, enormous, degree, level, element, face, run, take, outweigh something, group, factor, assessment, at risk, at risk from, at risk of, at your own risk, an increase in risk, a reduction in risk |
| Antonyms | safety, security, protection | safety, security | safeguard, protection, assurance | safety, security, protection | safety, certainty |
| 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. | Confused with 'menacing', which is an adjective., Used incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun., Misunderstood as a minor threat instead of a significant one. | Confusing 'peril' with 'perilous' – 'peril' is a noun, 'perilous' is an adjective., Using 'peril' in informal settings where simpler words could be clearer., Mispronouncing it – learners often omit the 'r' sound. | Confusing risk with danger - risk is about possibility, while danger implies a higher chance of harm., Using 'risks' as a singular noun - remember to use the correct plural or singular form., Omitting the object when saying 'risk' - always specify what is being risked. |
| 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. | Use 'menace' in contexts where serious harm or danger is implied. More common in formal writing or discourse. | Used often in literature or formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'danger' are preferred. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. When discussing financial matters, 'risk' is frequent; however, it may not be appropriate in casual conversation about personal matters unless framed carefully. |
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Frequently asked questions: Danger vs Hazard vs Menace vs Peril vs Risk
What's the difference between Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk?
Danger: A situation where something bad can happen. Hazard: Something that can cause harm or danger. Menace: A threat or danger to someone or something. Peril: Serious danger or risk. Risk: the chance of something bad happening
Which is more formal: Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk?
Peril is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk?
Peril is the highest level, at C2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk the same CEFR level?
Danger: A2, Hazard: C1, Menace: C1, Peril: C2, Risk: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk?
Danger: noun, Hazard: noun, Menace: noun, Peril: noun, Risk: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Danger: The storm brought a danger to the village. Hazard: The slippery floors are a serious hazard in the factory. Menace: The storm was a menace to the coastal towns. Peril: The explorers faced great peril as they navigated through the treacherous mountains. Risk: There is a risk involved in investing in the stock market.
Can I use Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk interchangeably?
Not always. Danger, Hazard, Menace, Peril, and Risk 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.