Skip to the word

Added 4 October 2026

threat

/θɹɛt/ noun

In Latin: minātiō, minācia Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about threat at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
An indication of potential or imminent danger.
Verifying and addressing actual threats is not paranoia.
A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.

verb

To press; urge; compel.
To threaten.
To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

Origin

From Middle English threte, thret, thrat, thræt, threat, from Old English þrēat (“crowd, swarm, troop, army, press; pressure, trouble, calamity, oppression, force, violence, threat”), from Proto-Germanic *þrautaz, closely tied to Proto-Germanic *þrautą (“displeasure, complaint, grievance, labour, toil”), from Proto-Indo-European *trewd- (“to squeeze, push, press”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word