precipitous
What does "precipitous" mean?
The word "precipitous" describes something that is dangerously steep, like a cliff or a mountain face. Beyond the literal physical sense, it is frequently used to describe a sudden, dramatic change, especially a sharp decline in something like prices, health, or popularity. While "steep" can be used for any incline, "precipitous" implies a sense of instability or impending danger. It is a formal term, often found in academic or journalistic writing to emphasize the extremity or the shocking speed of a downward movement.
"precipitous" in conversation
Discussing a market crash
The stock market took a precipitous drop this morning.
The stock market took a precipitous drop this morning.
I saw that. It wiped out all the gains from last week.
I saw that. It wiped out all the gains from last week.
Used to emphasize the extreme speed and severity of the financial loss.
Hiking safety
Stay away from the edge; the drop is quite precipitous here.
Stay away from the edge; the drop is quite precipitous here.
Understood, I'll keep a safe distance.
Understood, I'll keep a safe distance.
Used here in its literal sense to warn of a dangerous physical height.
"precipitous" in a sentence
The hiker stood at the edge of the precipitous cliff.
The hiker stood at the edge of the precipitous cliff.
The company suffered a precipitous decline in profits after the scandal.
The company suffered a precipitous decline in profits after the scandal.
Without a change in policy, the nation faces a precipitous descent into economic chaos.
Without a change in policy, the nation faces a precipitous descent into economic chaos.
