noun
precipice
PREH-sih-pihs
Precipice (noun) means a very steep cliff or drop. Example: “One wrong step and they would have fallen off the precipice.”
noun
1
A very steep cliff or drop.
"One wrong step and they would have fallen off the precipice."
2
The edge of a dangerous or critical situation, used figuratively.
"The company was standing on the precipice of bankruptcy."
How to use precipice
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sheer drop-off, either an actual cliff edge or a metaphor for being right on the brink of disaster.
Common pairings
on the edge of a precipice
teeter on the precipice
the precipice of war
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Word forms
- Plural
- precipices
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One wrong step and they would have fallen off the _____.
Etymology
From Latin praecipitium, \"a steep place,\" built from praeceps, \"headfirst\" — literally prae- (\"before\") plus caput (\"head\").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for precipice
See all rhymes for precipice →Frequently asked questions
What does “precipice” mean?
The word “precipice” means a very steep cliff or drop. In plain terms, a sheer drop-off, either an actual cliff edge or a metaphor for being right on the brink of disaster.
How do you pronounce “precipice”?
“Precipice” is pronounced PREH-sih-pihs (/ˈpɹɛsɪpɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “precipice” in a sentence?
Here is “precipice” used in a sentence: “One wrong step and they would have fallen off the precipice.”
What is another word for “precipice”?
Words with a similar meaning to “precipice” include cliff and cliffdrop.
What part of speech is “precipice”?
“Precipice” is a noun.
Where does the word “precipice” come from?
The word “precipice” comes from Latin. From Latin praecipitium, \"a steep place,\" built from praeceps, \"headfirst\" — literally prae- (\"before\") plus caput (\"head\").
How many meanings does “precipice” have?
“Precipice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very steep cliff or drop.
