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Risk vs Reward - What's the difference?

risk | reward |

As nouns the difference between risk and reward

is that risk is a possible, usually negative, outcome, eg, a danger while reward is something of value given in return for an act.

As verbs the difference between risk and reward

is that risk is to incur risk (to something) while reward is to give (something) as a reward.

risk

English

(wikipedia risk)

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A possible, usually negative, outcome, e.g., a danger.
  • * Macaulay
  • the imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves
  • * 2006 , BBC News'' website, ''Farmers warned over skin cancer read at [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4764525.stm] on 14 May 2006
  • There was also a "degree of complacency" that the weather in the country was not good enough to present a health risk .
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=76, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Snakes and ladders , passage=Risk is everywhere. From tabloid headlines insisting that coffee causes cancer (yesterday, of course, it cured it) to stern government warnings about alcohol and driving, the world is teeming with goblins. For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you.}}
  • The likelihood of a negative outcome.
  • * 2006', Trever Ramsey on ''BBC News'' website, ''Exercise 'cuts skin cancer '''risk' read at [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4764535.stm] on 14 May 2006
  • Taking regular exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, reduced the risk of several types of cancer.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01, author=Stephen Ledoux, volume=100, issue=1, page=60
  • , magazine= , title= Behaviorism at 100 , passage=Becoming more aware of the progress that scientists have made on behavioral fronts can reduce the risk that other natural scientists will resort to mystical agential accounts when they exceed the limits of their own disciplinary training.}}
  • The potential (conventionally negative) should it occur.
  • * 2002', Decisioneering Inc website, ''What is '''risk ? read at [http://www.decisioneering.com/risk-analysis.html] on 14 May 2006
  • If there is a 25% chance of running over schedule, costing you a $100 out of your own pocket, that might be a risk' you are willing to take. But if you have a 5% chance of running overschedule, knowing that there is a $10,000 penalty, you might be less willing to take that ' risk .

    Derived terms

    * market risk * credit risk * currency risk * operational risk * political risk * financial risk * residual risk * health risk * inflation risk * risk management * risk assessment * risk analysis

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To incur risk (to something).
  • * 2006 , BBC Sport website, Beckham wary over Rooney comeback read at [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4769433.stm] on 14 May 2006
  • England captain David Beckham has warned Wayne Rooney not to risk his long-term future by rushing his return from injury.
  • To incur risk (of something).
  • * 2006 , Transportation Alternatives'' website, ''Rail delays as thieves cut power read at [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4972476.stm] on 14 May 2006
  • These people are putting themselves in danger by physically being on or near to the railway lines and risk ing serious injury.
  • To incur risk (by something).
  • * 1999 , BBC News'' website, ''Volunteer of the Month: Andrew Hay McConnell read at [http://www.transalt.org/press/magazine/994Summer/12volunteer.html] on 14 May 2006
  • After coming to New York, I decided to risk cycling again.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . See

    See also

    * roll the dice, take a chance

    Anagrams

    * ----

    reward

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) reward, rewarde, from (etyl) variants of Old French, ultimately of (etyl) ((etyl)) origin. Compare ''regard'', ''warden'', ''guard . See more below. Displaced native (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something of value given in return for an act.
  • For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward .
  • A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
  • ''The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters
  • The result of an action, whether good or bad.
  • Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2013 , date=January 22 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4) , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Christian Benteke's first-half goal was just reward for Villa's undoubted superiority but Bradford managed to survive without further damage until half-time, before scoring the goal that takes them to Wembley for the first time since 1996.}}
    Synonyms
    * (something of value given in return for an act) payment, recompense * (prize promised for a certain deed or catch) bounty * (result of an action) consequence
    Antonyms
    * punishment

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) rewarden, from (etyl) . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give (something) as a reward.
  • *:
  • *:Thenne syr Marhaus departed and within two dayes his damoysel brought hym where as was a grete tornement that the lady de Vawse has cryed // And there syr Marhaus dyd so nobly that he was renomed / & had somtyme doune fourty knyghtes / and soo the serklet of gold was rewarded hym
  • *Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 17:
  • *:Thou hast rewarded' me good, whereas I have ' rewarded thee evil.
  • (label) To give a reward to or for.
  • :
  • (label) To recompense.
  • :
  • *{{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
  • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.}}
    Derived terms
    * rewardable * rewarder * rewarding * unrewarded

    Anagrams

    * * * *