hazard (English)

Where does "hazard" come from?

The word 'hazard' originated from the Arabic term 'az-zahr,' meaning 'the dice.' This word passed into Old French as 'hasart,' referring specifically to a game of chance, before entering Middle English as 'hasard.' Over time, its meaning shifted from the game itself to the act of risking something on an uncertain outcome.

Full etymology tree

• hazard (English), 'To expose to chance; to take a risk.'
  • inherited hasard (Middle English), 'hazard (dice game, often gambled on)'
    • borrowed hasart (Old French), 'a score of six in a game of hazard'
      • compound zahr (Arabic)
      • suffix *-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