adjective

precarious

/prɪˈkeəriəs/ · say it: prih·KAIR·ee·uhs

dangerously insecure or unstable

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) not safe or stable; likely to fall or fail at any moment

2. (adjective) depending on something uncertain; not secure

Examples

1. The climber stood on a precarious ledge high above the ground.
2. Without a permanent job, his financial situation felt precarious.

How to use precarious

Precarious describes situations or conditions that lack stability or security and could deteriorate or collapse suddenly. It emphasizes both physical instability (a precarious ladder placement) and metaphorical vulnerability (precarious financial circumstances). It conveys more anxiety and imminent risk than merely 'unstable,' suggesting that collapse or failure is a real threat rather than just a theoretical possibility.

Common phrases

precarious balance
precarious situation
precarious position
precarious living
precarious employment

Synonyms

unstable · unsteady · uncertain · risky · insecure

Opposites

stable · secure · safe

Word family

precariously (adverb) · precariousness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use precarious to mean simply 'difficult' or 'bad' without the key sense of instability or danger; it must imply that something could fail or change drastically at any moment.

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