Risky vs. Risqué – Which is Correct?

While both words are valid English adjectives, risky and risqué have distinct meanings. Risky describes something full of risk or danger, implying potential harm or loss. Risqué refers to something suggestive, provocative, or bordering on impropriety, often with sexual connotations. Understanding their unique applications is key to correct usage.

Similar challenges arise when distinguishing between terms like Right vs. Rite, where subtle differences impact meaning.

Risky or Risqué – Which is Correct?

Both “risky” and “risqué” are correct adjectives in the English language, but they are not interchangeable. Their fundamental difference lies in the type of “danger” or “challenge” they describe. Risky pertains to physical, financial, or practical hazards and uncertainties. A risky venture might lead to failure, injury, or loss of money. On the other hand, risqué describes something that is daringly close to being improper or indecent, often in a sexually suggestive way. It refers to a social or moral boundary being pushed.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember the distinction is to focus on the letters and their connotations:

• Risky: Think of the letter ‘K’ in risky. It sounds like “kick” or “knife,” associated with physical danger or harm. Or, remember that ‘K’ is also in “risk.”
• Risqué: The ‘QUÉ’ ending (with the accent mark) is a strong clue. It’s a French loanword. Think of “questionable” or “provocative.” The accent mark itself often signals a word adopted from French, which frequently carry nuances of sophistication, fashion, or social daring.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Risky	Adjective	Full of possibility of danger, failure, or loss; hazardous.	Investing in that startup was a very risky decision, but it paid off.
Risqué	Adjective	Suggestive of sexual impropriety; bordering on indecent; provocative.	Her outfit for the gala was considered quite risqué by some of the more conservative guests.

How to Use Risky

“Risky” is an adjective used to describe situations, actions, or objects that involve a high degree of risk or danger. It implies a potential for negative consequences, whether physical, financial, emotional, or otherwise. The tone is generally objective, stating a fact about inherent danger, though it can also be used to express caution or warning. It is widely used in business, finance, sports, health, and everyday decision-making.

Example 1: Climbing Mount Everest without proper training is an extremely risky endeavor.

Example 2: The company decided to take on the risky project, hoping for a significant return on investment.

Example 3: Eating undercooked chicken can be very risky due to the possibility of foodborne illness.

What are the different forms of Risky?

As an adjective, “risky” has comparative and superlative forms:

• Positive: risky (e.g., “That’s a risky move.”)
• Comparative: riskier (e.g., “This investment is riskier than the last one.”)
• Superlative: riskiest (e.g., “It was the riskiest stunt he had ever performed.”)

Etymology of the word Risky

The word “risky” is derived from “risk,” which entered English in the 17th century from French risque (modern French risque) and Italian risco or rischio. These words, in turn, are believed to come from the Latin resecare, meaning “to cut off,” or perhaps from Greek rhiza, meaning “root, cliff,” implying a hazard to shipping. The adjective “risky” emerged later, around the late 18th century, to describe something characterized by risk.

How to Use Risqué

“Risqué” is an adjective that describes something daring, provocative, or suggestive, particularly in a social or sexual context. It implies pushing the boundaries of what is considered proper, decent, or conventional. The word often carries a connotation of sophisticated boldness or subtle impropriety. It is a French loanword, and its use in English retains a sense of its original cultural context, often applied to fashion, humor, art, or conversation.

Example 1: The comedian’s routine included several risqué jokes that made some audience members uncomfortable.

Example 2: She chose a rather risqué gown for the charity ball, featuring a very high slit.

Example 3: The artist was known for her series of risqué paintings that challenged societal norms.

What are the different forms of Risqué?

As an adjective, “risqué” can also be used in comparative and superlative forms, typically with “more” and “most”:

• Positive: risqué (e.g., “That’s a risqué comment.”)
• Comparative: more risqué (e.g., “Her second novel was even more risqué than her first.”)
• Superlative: most risqué (e.g., “It was arguably the most risqué film of the decade.”)

Etymology of the word Risqué

“Risqué” is a direct loanword from French, meaning “risked” or “daring.” It is the past participle of the French verb risquer, “to risk.” It entered the English language in the late 19th century, retaining its original spelling and the accent mark, which indicates its foreign origin and often implies a specific nuance of meaning—in this case, referring to something socially or morally daring rather than physically dangerous.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical and linguistic concepts can often help clarify the nuances between similar-sounding words like “risky” and “risqué.”

• Adjectives: Both “risky” and “risqué” function as adjectives, modifying nouns to provide more detail. “Risky” describes the inherent danger of a noun, while “risqué” describes its provocative or suggestive nature. Recognizing their role as descriptive words is fundamental.
• Loanwords: “Risqué” is an example of a loanword, a word adopted from another language (in this case, French) into English. Loanwords often retain their original spelling, pronunciation, and sometimes a specific cultural nuance that differentiates them from native English words or other loanwords with similar meanings.

Examples from Media and Literature

• In the financial thriller, the protagonist made a series of risky investments that could either make him a fortune or leave him bankrupt.
• A review of a new art exhibition noted, “The collection features several strikingly beautiful, yet undeniably risqué, sculptures that challenge conventional tastes.”
• The headline on June 2, 2026, read: “Experts warn of risky new trend in cryptocurrency speculation.”
• A character in a historical novel described a daring flapper dress as “quite risqué for its time, but utterly fashionable.”
• The mountaineer admitted that his solo ascent was a highly risky undertaking, but the thrill was irresistible.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The startup’s business model was incredibly ______, but it promised high returns.
2. The art gallery featured a collection of photographs that were considered quite ______ by conservative critics.
3. He decided to take a ______ shortcut through the dense forest, hoping to save time.
4. Her off-the-shoulder top was deemed a bit ______ for a formal business meeting.
5. Attempting to cross the river during the flood was an incredibly ______ decision.

Answer Key

1. risky
2. risqué
3. risky
4. risqué
5. risky

Risky Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Hazardous	Full of risk; dangerous.
Perilous	Full of danger or risk.
Dangerous	Involving or posing a danger; unsafe.
Uncertain	Not known or definite; not to be relied on.
Venturesome	Willing to take risks or embark on hazardous adventures.

Risqué Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Provocative	Arousing sexual desire or interest, often deliberately.
Suggestive	Hinting at something improper or indecent.
Daring	(Of a person or action) adventurous or audacious.
Indecent	Not in keeping with accepted standards of modesty or propriety.
Improper	Not in accordance with accepted standards of good taste or morality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can something be both risky and risqué?
Yes, it is possible for an action or item to be both risky and risqué. For example, a particularly revealing outfit (risqué) worn while performing a dangerous stunt (risky) would fit both descriptions. Similarly, certain types of art or performances might be considered both socially provocative (risqué) and financially unstable to produce (risky).

Question 2: Why does “risqué” have an accent mark?
The accent mark (acute accent, é) in “risqué” is retained from its original French spelling. It indicates that the word is a loanword from French and often helps preserve its original pronunciation and specific meaning in English. Removing the accent mark would make it look like a misspelling of “risky” and obscure its distinct meaning and origin.

Question 3: Is “risky” always negative?
While “risky” often implies potential negative outcomes, it’s not always exclusively negative. In some contexts, taking a “risky” move can lead to significant positive rewards or achievements. For instance, a “risky investment” could yield high profits, or a “risky surgical procedure” might save a life. The term itself highlights the presence of danger or uncertainty, but the overall outcome can be positive or negative.

Conclusion

Navigating the English language requires attention to nuance, and the distinction between “risky” and “risqué” is a prime example. While “risky” points to danger and potential harm, “risqué” refers to daring provocativeness, often in a social or sexual context. Remembering the French origin and the accent mark of “risqué” can be a valuable guide. Using these words correctly not only enhances clarity but also demonstrates a sophisticated command of the language. Pro Tip: Always consider the type of “danger” or “boundary” being referenced to ensure you pick the precise word; misusing them can significantly alter the intended meaning and potentially harm your professional reputation.