Precarious Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈprekəriəs/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A situation or condition that is uncertain, unstable, or prone to sudden collapse or failure.

Examples

The company’s precarious financial situation made it difficult to secure investors.
Her precarious position on the cliffs made her feel anxious.
The firefighter’s precarious climb up the burning building was recorded on video.
The team’s precarious lead meant that a single loss could send them tumbling down the standings.
The city’s precarious balance of power made it vulnerable to external threats.
The writer’s precarious relationship with her editor led to creative tension.

Synonyms

Unstable
Risky
Delicate
Perilous

Antonyms

Stable
Secure
Robust
Worry-free

Etymology

The word “Precarious” comes from the Latin word “precaris,” meaning “attendant on chance,” derived from “precaritus,” meaning “thorny” or “prickly.”

Usage Notes

Precarious can be used to describe situations, conditions, or states that are vulnerable or uncertain. It can also be used to describe people or things that are delicate or easily damaged.

Cultural References

Precarious has appeared in various cultural references, including literature, film, and music. For example, the novel “The Precarious” by Jeanne Ray explores themes of uncertainty and vulnerability.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Precarious is often used in idiomatic expressions, such as “precarious balance” or “precarious position,” to describe a delicate or unstable situation.

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases closely related to precarious include “unstable,” “risky,” “delicate,” and “perilous.”

Collocations

Precarious is often used in collocations with words like “situation,” “position,” “balance,” “state,” and “condition.” For example, “a precarious situation” or “a precarious position.”

Frequency of Use

Precarious is a relatively frequently used word, particularly in informal and formal writing, to describe uncertain or unstable situations.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of precarious include “precarious,” “precarers,” and “precariousness.”