Precipitous Meaning in English

word

US

pɹɪˈsɪpɪtəs

pri-SIP-i-tuhs

UK

pɹɪsˈɪpɪtəs

pris-IP-i-tuhs

Definition

Very steep or sudden, often used to describe slopes or drops, but also refers to rapid or drastic changes.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and descriptive, often used for cliffs or slopes ('a precipitous cliff'), but also in figurative contexts like 'a precipitous decline'. Not interchangeable with 'precipitated', which is a verb form.

• Spanish: precipitado - escarpado (terreno) - abrupto
• Portuguese (BR): íngreme - precipitado (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): íngreme - precipitado (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 陡峭的 - 急剧的
• Chinese (Traditional): 陡峭的 - 急遽的
• Hindi: बहुत खड़ी - अचानक
• Arabic: حاد (جداً) - شديد الانحدار
• Bengali: খাড়া - আকস্মিক - উল্কাগত
• Russian: крутой - обрывистый - резкий (о переменах)
• Japanese: 険しい - 急激な
• Vietnamese: dốc đứng - đột ngột
• Korean: 가파른 - 급격한
• Turkish: sarptır - dik - ani (değişiklikler için)
• Urdu: انتہائی ڈھلوان - اچانک - تیز (تبدیلی کے لئے)
• Indonesian: curam - mendadak (untuk perubahan drastis)

Example Sentences

The mountain has a precipitous slope.

basic

There was a precipitous drop in temperature last night.

basic

Be careful, the path becomes precipitous after the river.

basic

The company faced a precipitous decline in profits this year.

natural

After the bridge, the trail turns precipitous, so don't go alone.

natural

Stock prices took a precipitous fall after the announcement.

natural