perilous

[per-uh-luhs]

adjective

1. involving or full of grave risk or peril; hazardous; dangerous.

   a perilous voyage across the Atlantic in a small boat.

   Synonyms: risky
   Antonyms: safe

perilous

/ ˈpɛrɪləs /

adjective

1. very hazardous or dangerous

   a perilous journey

Other Word Forms

• perilously adverb
• perilousness noun
• nonperilous adjective
• unperilous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perilous¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French perillous, from Latin perīculōsus; peril, -ous

Example Sentences

The finances of football are, as I now know only too well, incredibly and increasingly perilous and yet here is a simple way of ensuring that prize money is spread further and more fairly.

Read more on BBC

“Given the perilous circumstances—ow!—I think you might call me Penelope, if you like.”

Read more on Literature

The country's mountainous topography can also make driving conditions perilous.

Read more on Barron's

At the same time, other perilous crosscurrents in the economy had Wall Street on edge.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Both had volunteered for the perilous job of scouting for the Allies, observing and reporting on the movement of Japanese forces.

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Related Words

• delicate 
• dicey 
• hazardous 
• precarious 
• risky 
• rugged 
• shaky 
• threatening 
• ticklish 
• touchy 
• treacherous 
• uncertain 
• unstable