hazard (English)

Where does "hazard" come from?

The word 'hazard' originated from the Arabic term 'az-zahr,' meaning 'the dice,' which was adopted into Old French as a specific dice game. Over time, the name of the game evolved into a synonym for chance and the inherent risk of gambling. By the time it reached Middle English, it had transitioned from a literal game of dice to its modern meaning describing any general danger or peril.

Full etymology tree

• hazard (English), 'The chance of suffering harm; danger, peril, risk of loss.'
  • inherited hasard (Middle English), 'hazard (dice game, often gambled on)'
    • borrowed hasart (Old French), 'a score of six in a game of hazard'
      • compound اَلزَّهْر (az-zahr) (Arabic)
      • compound -art (Old French), 'used to form nouns or adjectives, often with pejorative meanings'
        • inherited *hard (Frankish)

Direct ancestors

• hasard (Middle English)
• hasart (Old French)
• زهر (Arabic)
• azar (Spanish)
• azar (Portuguese)

Updated May 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris