Precipitous: meaning, definitions and examples

⛰️
Add to dictionary

precipitous

 

[ prɪˈsɪpɪtəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

steep slope

Dangerously high or steep; having a sharp inclination.

Synonyms

abrupt, sheer, steep, sudden, vertical.

Examples of usage

  • The hikers struggled to climb the precipitous mountain.
  • She carefully navigated the precipitous cliff.
  • The road became precipitous as they ascended the mountain.
  • The precipitous drop-off made the climb challenging.
  • The village was perched on the edge of a precipitous cliff.

Translations

Translations of the word "precipitous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 precipitado

🇮🇳 अचानक

🇩🇪 steil

🇮🇩 terjal

🇺🇦 стрімкий

🇵🇱 stromy

🇯🇵 急な

🇫🇷 précipité

🇪🇸 precipitado

🇹🇷 dik

🇰🇷 가파른

🇸🇦 شديد الانحدار

🇨🇿 strmý

🇸🇰 strmý

🇨🇳 陡峭的

🇸🇮 strm

🇮🇸 brattur

🇰🇿 тік

🇬🇪 ციცაბო

🇦🇿 dik

🇲🇽 precipitado

Etymology

The word 'precipitous' originated from the Latin word 'praecipitium', meaning steep or overhanging. It has been used in English since the early 17th century to describe steep slopes or cliffs that present a sudden drop or rise. The term has evolved to convey a sense of danger or risk associated with steep inclines, making it a popular choice to describe challenging terrains or situations.

See also: precip, precipitateness, precipitating, precipitation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,178, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.