precipitous

(prĭ-sĭp'ĭ-təs)
adj.

1. Resembling a precipice; extremely steep. See synonyms at steep¹.
2. Having several precipices: a precipitous bluff.
3. Usage Problem. Extremely rapid, hasty, or abrupt; precipitate: "The change has included a precipitous collapse of Communist authority" (New York Times). See Usage Note at precipitate.

[Probably from obsolete precipitious, from Latin praecipitium, precipice. See precipice.]

precipitously pre·cip'i·tous·ly adv.
precipitousness pre·cip'i·tous·ness n.

View more Literature & Language videos

adjective

So sharply inclined as to be almost perpendicular: abrupt, bold, sheer², steep¹. See horizontal/vertical/change of position.

adj

Definition: steep, falling sharply
Antonyms: gradual

IN BRIEF: Steep.

And, how can our societies keep pace with the precipitous course of change without damage to themselves? — Jacques Chirac

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

See words rhyming with "precipitous."

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - stejl, brat

Nederlands (Dutch)
steil, gehaast, neervallend

Français (French)
adj. - escarpé, raide, à pic

Deutsch (German)
adj. - steil

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - απόκρημνος, απότομος, κρημνώδης

Italiano (Italian)
precipitoso, affrettato

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - precipitoso, íngreme, súbito

Русский (Russian)
обрывистый, поспешный

Español (Spanish)
adj. - empinado, escarpado

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - tvärbrant, stupande, förhastad

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
陡峭的, 急躁的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 陡峭的, 急躁的

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 험한, 가파른

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 絶壁の, 険しい

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) شديد الانحدار‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮תלול, מפחיד בגובהו‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.