Riskless

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Free from any danger or chances of loss or damage
2. Lacking any potential threats or uncertainties that could lead to harm or adverse effects
3. Having no possibility of harm or losing value in any situation

Etymology: "Riskless" is a plain English construction: the noun "risk" with the suffix "-less," meaning "without," which dates back to Old English "-lēas," the same ending found in words like "careless" and "fearless." The suffix attaches to the noun to yield "without risk," so the word describes something free from any chance of harm or loss. The noun it builds on has a more winding past. "Risk" came into English through French "risque," which in turn came from Italian "rischio," and the Italian term traces back to Old Italian "risco" or "riscare," probably derived from the Latin "resecare," meaning "to cut off" or "to cut apart." The Italian sense of the word was perhaps a notion of danger one cuts through or encounters, rather than something to be avoided. Because the Italian forms are uncertain in their exact development, that link is best regarded as a likely, not settled, one.

Synonyms: safe, secure

Antonyms: dangerous, risky