Precarious
/prɪˈkɛəriəs/
Definitions
Dependent on chance or uncertain; dangerous; risky.
/prɪˈkɛəriəs/
Dependent on chance; uncertain.
The climbers found themselves in a precarious position on the mountain.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're balancing a stack of books on your head. If you're not careful, they'll fall! That feeling of being unsteady and at risk is 'precarious'.
👶 For kids: If something is precarious, it means it's not safe or stable. Like a wobbly tower of blocks that might fall down!
More Examples
Her health was precarious after the surgery.
The economic outlook remains precarious due to global instability.
How It's Used
"The negotiations are in a precarious state."
"The company's financial situation is precarious."
Idioms & expressions
precarious balance
A situation that could easily be disrupted or destroyed; an unstable state.
"The ongoing peace talks maintained a precarious balance between the two factions."
precarious footing
Unstable physical position; a situation where one's position or standing is at risk.
"The hiker struggled to maintain a precarious footing on the icy slope."
From Latin *precarius* meaning 'obtained by request, depending on favor', derived from *preces* meaning 'prayers, requests'. It entered English in the 16th century.
The word 'precarious' has been used since the 16th century, originally referring to something obtained or held by request or favor. Over time, it evolved to mean something that is unstable or dangerous.
Memory tip
Imagine a precarious stack of books – one wrong move and it all collapses.
Word Origin
"obtained by request, depending on favor"