precarious

Language: en

🇺🇸 /priːˈkɛriːəs/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.; Dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain, unstable, or insecure.; Involving or exposing one to danger or risk; hazardous.; Held or enjoyed at the pleasure of another; dependent on the will or favor of someone else (archaic/legal usage).

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more precarious Superlative: most precarious

Collocations

precarious situationprecarious positionprecarious balanceprecarious existenceprecarious stateprecarious foothold

Derivatives

precariouslyprecariousnessprecarity

Synonyms

unstableinsecureuncertainriskyhazardousshakydangerous

Antonyms

stablesecuresafecertain

Commonly confused

precious
EN: 'Precious' means of great value or beloved; 'precarious' means dangerously unstable or uncertain.
precipitous
EN: 'Precipitous' specifically refers to a steep drop or sudden change; 'precarious' refers to general instability or danger.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember 'precarious' contains '-car-' (not '-cer-' or '-cur-'); don't confuse it with 'precious', which lacks the 'a' and has a different meaning entirely.

💬 Examples

  1. The ladder was in a precarious position, leaning against the wall at a steep angle.

  2. After the company lost its biggest client, its financial situation became extremely precarious.

  3. The climbers found themselves in a precarious situation when the storm hit at high altitude.

  4. The tenant held the land on a precarious tenure, subject to the landlord's whim.