Adventurer
/ədˈvɛn.tʃər.ər/noun
A person who seeks or undertakes unusual, risky, or exciting experiences.
Did you know?The word descends from Latin adventura, “that which is about to happen,” linking adventure linguistically to the same root as “arrival” and “event.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷem-
“To come or go; the ancient root behind later Latin words for movement and arrival.”
Classical Latin
Latin
advenīre
“To come to, arrive, or approach; formed from ad-, “to,” plus venīre, “to come.””
Late Latin
Latin
adventura
“That which is about to happen; a future occurrence or coming event.”
12th Century
Old French
aventure
“Chance, fate, fortune, or an unexpected occurrence.”
14th Century
Middle English
aventure
“A hazardous undertaking, strange experience, or occurrence governed by chance.”
16th Century
English
adventurer
“A person who undertakes risky enterprises or seeks fortune through uncertain ventures.”
Modern English
English
adventurer
“A person who pursues unusual, risky, or exciting experiences.”