Precipitous
Extremely steep or vertical; also describes something done or occurring very quickly and without careful consideration.
adjectivePrecipitous
Extremely steep or vertical; also describes something done or occurring very quickly and without careful consideration.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine walking along a mountain path that drops off at a near-vertical angle; one misstep could send you tumbling down a dangerous precipice.
Sounds Like
PRIH-SIP-i-tuhs
Looks Like
Looks like: precipice; resembles the words precipitate and precipitation
Remember This
Derived from Latin praecipitare meaning 'to fall headlong'; related to precipice and precipitate.
Other Forms
Connect With
steep, abrupt, sudden, sharp; precipice, cliff; decline, fall
Note
Commonly used to describe both physical steepness (a precipitous slope) and abrupt, rash actions (a precipitous decision). Context will indicate which meaning is intended.