adventure

Where does the word "adventure" come from? It comes from Latin adventurus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Adventure’s story begins in Latin: adventurus meant “about to happen.” About to happen, from advenire (to arrive). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aventure. Carried into French for an unexpected or risky undertaking. It reached English by 1200s as adventure. First recorded around 1225 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for religious recluses; the French romances of knightly 'aventure' spread the word's sense of a risky quest. Today, adventure means an exciting, unusual, or risky experience or undertaking.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient adventurus "about to happen", about to happen, from advenire (to arrive).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aventure "an unexpected or risky undertaking", carried into French for an unexpected or risky undertaking.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s adventure "an exciting or risky undertaking", first recorded around 1225 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for religious recluses; the French romances of knightly 'aventure' spread the word's sense of a risky quest.