precipitous
/pɹɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
Group 23Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Dangerously high or steep; done suddenly and without careful consideration GRE
Example in Context
The precipitous decline in enrollment forced the college to consider merging with a larger institution to survive.
Synonyms
steepabruptsudden
Etymology
To throw down suddenly, often implying danger or steepness.
- praecipitare (Latin) — to throw down
Memory Aid
🧗♂️Sounds like “pre-sip it us”
Imagine a climber who sips water before a PRE-SIP IT US moment, falling off a PREcipitous cliff!
Visual Association
🏞️A hiker standing on the edge of a dangerously steep cliff, looking down in awe and fear.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “precipitous” mean on the GRE?
precipitous (adjective) means “Dangerously high or steep; done suddenly and without careful consideration”. The precipitous decline in enrollment forced the college to consider merging with a larger institution to survive.
How to remember “precipitous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “precipitous” sounds like “pre-sip it us”. Imagine a climber who sips water before a PRE-SIP IT US moment, falling off a PREcipitous cliff!
What are synonyms for “precipitous”?
Common synonyms: steep, abrupt, sudden.