Perilous
/ˈpɛrələs/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Perilous describes something that has a high chance of causing harm, danger, or trouble. It is used when a situation, place, or action is unsafe and could lead to bad results or accidents.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Very dangerous or risky situation
- •Climbing the mountain without proper gear is perilous.
- •The explorers took a perilous path through the jungle.
- •Sailing during the storm was a perilous decision.
Describing something likely to cause harm or trouble
- •The company's financial situation is perilous after losing many clients.
- •Driving on icy roads can be perilous if you are not careful.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "perilous" like "dangerous" (A2 word), but stronger and more serious—like a big risk that could cause real harm
- ✓Picture walking on a narrow, broken bridge over a deep river with strong water below—this is a perilous walk
- ✓It's the feeling of worry and fear when you know something could go very wrong if you are not careful
- ✓Sounds like "PER-il-ous" → imagine "pear" + "loss" → losing a pear because you are in danger, reminding you of risk and danger
- ✓Think of stories where heroes face perilous journeys, full of danger and challenges they must survive
- ✓NOT like "risky" (sometimes small chance of harm), "perilous" means very serious and likely danger
- ✓NOT like "safe" or "easy"—perilous is the opposite, it means unsafe and hard to handle
Try Other Words
- •Risky: having a chance of harm or loss (Use when the danger is possible but not always serious)
- •Hazardous: unsafe and likely to cause harm (Use for places or things that are unsafe, often in formal or technical contexts)
- •Dangerous: able to cause harm or injury (Use in everyday speech for general danger)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "peril" (danger, risk) + suffix "-ous" (full of or having)
- •Etymology: From Latin "perīculōsus," meaning full of danger or risk
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1400s to describe dangerous or risky situations
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in writing and speech to describe serious dangers, especially in stories, warnings, and descriptions of risky actions
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you were in a perilous situation? How did you feel and what did you do?
•How does describing a situation as perilous change the way people think or act compared to just calling it dangerous?
Fill in the blanks
1.Climbing without safety equipment is perilous because it ___ the chance of falling.
2.The explorers entered a perilous area where ___ animals lived.
3.Unlike a simple risk, a perilous situation often requires ___ planning and care.
4.When someone says a journey is perilous, they usually mean it is ___ and unsafe.
5.The captain warned the crew about the perilous weather conditions, so they prepared ___.
6.Driving fast on wet roads is perilous, but driving slowly can ___ the danger.
7.The film showed a hero facing many perilous challenges, making the story ___ and exciting.