Chancier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by a greater degree of risk or uncertainty, especially in relation to gambling or chance-based situations
2. Describing something that is more reliant on luck or unpredictability compared to others
3. Indicative of an increased likelihood of a gamble or decision leading to variable outcomes depending on chance

Etymology: "Chancier" is simply the comparative of "chancy", meaning more uncertain or more dependent on luck. It is the form you reach for when one option is riskier than another: a chancier plan, a chancier bet. The base word "chancy" is built from "chance" plus the suffix "-y", which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "having the qualities of" or "full of" the noun. "Chance" itself came into English from Old French "chance", ultimately from Latin "cadentia", a falling, as in the fall of dice. So the original picture behind "chancier" is of dice tumbling and landing where they will, and "chancy" describes a situation that feels like that roll.

Synonyms: riskier, more precarious, more uncertain, more hazardous, more speculative

Antonyms: safer, more certain, more secure, more reliable