Origin: Latin suffix -ous
Hazardous has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
Risky, dangerous, with the nature of a hazard.
"The crew refused to board the hazardous ship because its hull was leaking oil into the harbor."
In plain English: Something hazardous is dangerous and likely to cause harm or injury.
"The warning sign marks the area as hazardous because of slippery rocks and loose cliffs."
Usage: Use hazardous to describe anything that poses a real risk of harm or injury, such as chemicals, driving conditions, or activities. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences; reserve it strictly for situations where danger is present.
The word hazardous comes from the Middle French term hasardeux, which was formed by adding a suffix to the noun hazard. It originally described something involving chance or risk before entering English with its current meaning of being dangerous.