precipitous

[ pri-sip-i-tuhs ]

/ prɪˈsɪp ɪ təs /

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adjective

of the nature of or characterized by precipices: a precipitous wall of rock.

extremely or impassably steep: precipitous mountain trails.

Nearby words

precipitation, precipitation hardening, precipitin, precipitin test, precipitinogen, precipitous, precis, precise, precisely, precisian, precision

Origin of precipitous

1640–50; < obsolete French précipiteux; see precipitate, -ous

SYNONYMS FOR precipitous

2 abrupt, sheer, perpendicular.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR precipitous ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR precipitous

1, 2 flat, level.

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Related forms

pre·cip·i·tous·ly, adverbpre·cip·i·tous·ness, nounun·pre·cip·i·tous, adjectiveun·pre·cip·i·tous·ly, adverb

un·pre·cip·i·tous·ness, noun

Can be confused

precipitate precipitous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for precipitous

Mars Hill Church leaders blamed bad publicity for the precipitous drop in attendance and tithes.
Another Mega Church Implodes|Warren Throckmorton|September 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This sort of precipitous drop can reflect gyrations in the price of gas.
How the Kings of Fracking Double-Crossed Their Way to Riches|ProPublica|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Part of the reason for this precipitous decline is likely climate change.
Last Flight of the Monarchs? A Plea for Help for the Dying Butterflies|Michael Daly|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The plea deal represents a precipitous fall from grace, writes John Avlon.
With Plea Deal, Jesse Jackson Jr.’s Fall From Grace Seems Complete|John Avlon|February 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In 1965, despite the precipitous decline in the worker-to-retiree ratio, Social Security paid its bills with a 2.2% payroll tax.
The Coming Retirement Burden|Megan McArdle|February 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is on a plateau—the particular point that I mean—a plateau of precipitous mountains.
Running Sands|Reginald Wright Kauffman
The road rose high above the lake, and in one or two places ran along the edge of a precipitous cliff.
Across the Continent by the Lincoln Highway|Effie Price Gladding
For some distance round the hill the rocks were so precipitous, that we had no fear of being attacked on those sides.
In the Eastern Seas|W.H.G. Kingston
The valley of the Dor is therefore shut in either by precipitous volcanic walls, or is guarded by sombre woods.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 378, April, 1847|Various
At the head of the canyon stood an extinct volcano, its precipitous sides forming the barrier at the western end of the canyon.
The Long Chance|Peter B. Kyne

British Dictionary definitions for precipitous

precipitous

/ (prɪˈsɪpɪtəs) /

adjective

resembling a precipice or characterized by precipices

very steep

hasty or precipitate

Derived Forms

precipitously, adverbprecipitousness, noun

usage

The use of precipitous to mean hasty is thought by some people to be incorrect

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012