Precarious
/prɪˈkɛriəs/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Precarious describes a situation, condition, or position that is not stable or safe. It can mean something is risky, uncertain, or likely to change suddenly, often in a bad way. People use it to talk about things that might fall, fail, or cause trouble if not handled carefully.
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See It in Action
Not safe or stable; likely to fall or fail
- •The ladder was in a precarious position, leaning against the wall.
- •They lived in a precarious house on the edge of the cliff.
- •His balance on the icy road was precarious.
Uncertain or risky situation, often about jobs, health, or money
- •She has a precarious job with no long-term contract.
- •The country's economy is in a precarious state.
- •His health became precarious after the accident.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "precarious" like "dangerous" (A2 word), but more about being unsure or unstable, not just clearly harmful
- ✓Picture a tall stack of books balanced on a small table that could fall with a small push
- ✓It's the feeling when you stand on a narrow edge or when your plans might suddenly fail
- ✓Sounds like "pre-CARE-ee-us" → imagine needing to take CARE before something breaks or falls
- ✓Think of a tightrope walker walking carefully on a thin rope high above the ground—one small mistake could cause a fall
- ✓NOT like "safe" (stable and secure), "precarious" means likely to become unsafe or unstable
- ✓NOT like "certain" (sure to happen), "precarious" means unsure or risky
- ✓NOT like "dangerous" (clearly harmful), "precarious" often means unstable or uncertain, not always immediately harmful but risky because of that
- ✓NOT like "stable" (firm and steady), "precarious" is the opposite—likely to change or fall
Try Other Words
- •Unstable: not steady or firm (Use when talking about physical or emotional lack of stability)
- •Dangerous: likely to cause harm (Use when the risk is clear and immediate)
- •Uncertain: not sure or fixed (Use when talking about situations or outcomes that are unclear)
- •Risky: involving a chance of harm or loss (Use when focusing on chance and danger)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pre-" (before) + "carious" (from Latin root related to danger or risk)
- •Etymology: From Latin "precarius," meaning obtained by prayer or uncertain, risky
- •Historical development: Originally meant something dependent on chance or uncertain; over time it came to mean unsafe or unstable
- •Modern usage: Used to describe anything unstable, unsafe, or uncertain in everyday language and formal writing
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt in a precarious situation? What made it feel unsafe or uncertain?
•How does knowing the word "precarious" help you describe risks in daily life or work?
Fill in the blanks
1.The stack of boxes was precarious because it could ___ with just a small push.
2.After losing his job, he found himself in a precarious situation with no ___ income.
3.Walking on the icy path was precarious, so she moved very ___.
4.Unlike a strong building, the old bridge looked precarious and ___ to collapse.
5.The company's future looks precarious, and investors are ___ about putting money in.
6.He held the glass in a precarious way, afraid it might ___ at any moment.
7.When a situation is precarious, people often feel ___ and unsure about what will happen next.