adj
Uncommon
precarious
prih-KEH-uh-ree-uhs
Precarious (adj) means not safe or stable; likely to fail or collapse at any moment. Example: “The old ladder left him in a precarious position on the roof.”
adj
1
Not safe or stable; likely to fail or collapse at any moment.
"The old ladder left him in a precarious position on the roof."
"The company's finances were in a precarious state after the lawsuit."
How to use precarious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShaky, unstable, or risky — something that could easily go wrong or fall apart.
Common pairings
precarious position
precarious balance
precarious situation
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more precarious
- Superlative
- most precarious
Fill the gap
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The old ladder left him in a _____ position on the roof.
Etymology
From Latin "precarius," meaning "obtained by begging" or "depending on another's favor," from "prex" ("prayer" or "request") — the idea being that something granted at another's whim could be taken away just as easily.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for precarious
See all rhymes for precarious →Frequently asked questions
What does “precarious” mean?
The word “precarious” means not safe or stable; likely to fail or collapse at any moment. In plain terms, shaky, unstable, or risky — something that could easily go wrong or fall apart.
How do you pronounce “precarious”?
“Precarious” is pronounced prih-KEH-uh-ree-uhs (/pɹɪˈkɛəɹi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “precarious” in a sentence?
Here is “precarious” used in a sentence: “The old ladder left him in a precarious position on the roof.”
What part of speech is “precarious”?
“Precarious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “precarious” come from?
The word “precarious” comes from Latin. From Latin "precarius," meaning "obtained by begging" or "depending on another's favor," from "prex" ("prayer" or "request") — the idea being that something granted at another's whim could be taken away just as easily.
Is “precarious” a common word?
“Precarious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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