Word of the Day, October 17: ‘Jeopardy’

Word of the Day: JEOPARDY

Pronunciation: UK /ˈdʒep.ə.di/
US /ˈdʒep.ɚ.di/

Meaning

Jeopardy is a situation in which someone or something is in danger of being harmed, lost or put at risk. 

Examples for daily usage

• The sudden financial crisis put the future of the company in jeopardy.
• Sharing confidential information could put your job in jeopardy.
• The hikers found themselves in jeopardy when the weather took a turn for the worse.

Origin and history

The word jeopardy dates back to Middle English and comes from the Old French phrase ‘jeu parti’, meaning a divided game or one in which the chances of winning and losing were evenly balanced. It was originally used in games such as chess to describe an uncertain position. Over time, the word came to refer to situations involving danger, risk or uncertainty.

Also Read: Word of the Day, October 16: ‘Indolent’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

Today, jeopardy appears frequently in news reports, legal discussions and everyday conversation. A person's livelihood, reputation, safety or future can all be described as being in jeopardy.

The term is also familiar to television audiences through the American quiz show Jeopardy!, in which contestants are given clues and must respond in the form of questions. The show's title uses the same word, although its format is centred on knowledge rather than danger.

Interesting facts

Jeopardize is the related verb meaning to put something at risk. 

Double jeopardy is a legal term used in the United States for the protection against being tried twice for the same offence after the relevant proceedings have reached the point covered by that protection.

The plural form of jeopardy is jeopardies, though the word is more often used as an uncountable noun.

Examples from literature

• “Now do be careful of yourself, pray do, and consider what jeopardy you might have stood in.”— Charles Dickens, Barnaby Rudge

Synonyms

• Danger
• risk
• peril
• hazard
• endangerment
• vulnerability

Antonyms

• Safety
• security
• protection
• certainty

Read more Word of the Day here