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precipice — a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one; a dangerous situation where one is likely to fail or face disaster

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one; a dangerous situation where one is likely to fail or face disaster

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpresəpɪs/

Example Sentences

  • My bank account is on the precipice of extinction after buying that designer coffee machine.
  • The company teetered on the precipice of bankruptcy before the miracle investment.
  • He realized his marriage was on a precipice when his wife started using his gaming chair as firewood.

precipice

NOUN

[/ˈpresəpɪs/]

a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one; a dangerous situation where one is likely to fail or face disaster

a hiker with a backpack carefully steps along a crumbling trail edge while looking down nervously. Small rocks break away from under their feet and fall into the deep canyon below. The trail continues to crumble as loose stones tumble down the steep rock face. Another hiker behind them points ahead with concern while gripping their walking stick tightly. Birds fly far below in the misty canyon depths, showing the extreme height. a very steep rock face and the dangerous situation where one is likely to face disaster
💡 Concept

a hiker with a backpack carefully steps along a crumbling trail edge while looking down nervously. Small rocks break away from under their feet and fall into the deep canyon below. The trail continues to crumble as loose stones tumble down the steep rock face. Another hiker behind them points ahead with concern while gripping their walking stick tightly. Birds fly far below in the misty canyon depths, showing the extreme height. a very steep rock face and the dangerous situation where one is likely to face disaster

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpresəpɪs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpresəpɪs/

🌳Etymology

Rootprecip
Suffix--ice

Origin

From Latin praecipitium, meaning 'a steep place' or 'headlong fall.' The Romans used this word to describe dangerous cliff edges where one might fall headfirst.

Breakdown

praeceps (headlong, steep) + -itium (place/condition suffix) → a place where you might fall headfirst

🎵Rhyme

officenoticepractice
office
notice
practice

🔗Collocations

on the precipice of
stand at a precipice
economic precipice
verge of a precipice
push to the precipice

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My bank account is on the precipice of extinction after buying that designer coffee machine.”

“The company teetered on the precipice of bankruptcy before the miracle investment.”

😄 Fun example

“He realized his marriage was on a precipice when his wife started using his gaming chair as firewood.”

“The climber carefully avoided the precipice while ascending the mountain.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

cliffbrinkedgevergeabyss

Antonyms

safetysecurityplateau

Related

precipitateprecipitousprecariousperilous

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