precipitous

Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff: that's precipitous. It describes something that is very steep and may feel dangerous. But precipitous is not only about hills or cliffs. It can also describe a sudden, sharp change, like a precipitous drop in stock prices or a precipitous decline in support. A precipitous path is hard and risky; a precipitous fall is fast and dramatic.

The word precipitous originally described a cliff with very steep sides, so steep that it seemed to drop almost straight down. That is still its clearest meaning: something extremely steep and potentially dangerous because of its sudden descent. Picture a winding mountain road along a precipitous slope, or a waterfall pouring over a precipitous cliff.

However, precipitous is also used beyond physical landscapes. It often describes a sudden, sharp change, especially a fall or decline. A "precipitous decline" in sales means a fast and significant drop. A "precipitous fall" from grace suggests a rapid loss of reputation or status.

The word usually carries a sense of danger, speed, or instability. In some contexts, it can also describe an action taken too suddenly and without enough thought, though this use is less common than the meanings about steep places or sharp declines.

Historically, precipitous comes from the Latin word praeceps, meaning "headlong" or "steep." That history helps explain the word's feeling: whether you are describing a dangerous cliffside or a sudden drop in fortune, precipitous suggests steepness, quick change, and possible risk.