precipitous
pree-SIP-ih-tus
/prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
Extremely steep, sheer, or high; or done rashly and without careful deliberation.
Describes sheer vertical drops or sudden, abrupt declines (both literal terrain and figurative drops in stats).
The story behind the word. Latin 'praeceps' meant tumbling 'head first' down a drop. If you fall off a precipitous slope, you fall headlong (head before feet).
Word relationships
- sheer: Sheer emphasizes perpendicular verticality, while precipitous carries additional connotations of suddenness or peril.
- steep: Steep is common language; precipitous is more formal and describes near-vertical drops.
- gradual: Sloping or changing gently over a long distance or time.
- gentle: Mild inclination without abrupt drops.
Commonly confused with
- precipitate: Precipitate as a verb means to cause something to happen suddenly; precipitous is an adjective meaning extremely steep or rash.
Word family
- precipitously (adverb): In a very steep or sudden, headlong manner.
- precipice (noun): A very steep cliff or dangerous rock face.
Collocations
- precipitous cliff
- precipitous drop
- precipitous decline
- precipitous ridge
Example sentences
- "The rescue helicopter could not land on the precipitous ridge, so medics lowered themselves by winch." Terrain description
- "A precipitous drop in temperature overnight turned the damp snowpack into sheets of glare ice." Rapid drop
Memory hook
PRECIPITOUS cliffs make you drop PRECIPITATION (sweat) from fear of falling head-first. Extremely steep or sudden.
When not to use
Do not use for gentle, gradual slopes or slow, calculated decisions.
Fun facts
- Financial journalists frequently speak of 'precipitous declines' in stock markets, borrowing directly from alpine cliff terminology.
Related words
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