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- DictionaryPre·car·i·ous/prəˈkerēəs/
adjective
- 1. not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse: "a precarious ladder"
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adjective. dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; insecure: a precarious livelihood. Synonyms: indeterminate, unsure. Antonyms: secure. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another: He held a precarious tenure under an arbitrary administration.
PRECARIOUS definition: 1. A precarious situation is likely to become worse: 2. not fixed and likely to fall: . Learn more.
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- — precariously
- — precariousness
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
precarious /prɪˈkerijəs/ adjective
precarious
/prɪˈkerijəs/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of PRECARIOUS
adverb
•The vase was placed precariously close to the edge of the table.
noun [noncount]
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adj. 1. dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain: a precarious livelihood. 2. dangerous because insecure or unsteady. 3. based upon insufficient evidence. 4. dependent on the will of another. [1640–50; < Latin precārius. See prayer 1] pre•car′i•ous•ly, adv.
1 (of a situation) not safe or certain; dangerous He earned a precarious living as an artist. The museum is in a financially precarious position. The world is a precarious and unstable place.
Meaning & use. 1. 1626–. Esp. of a right, tenancy, etc.: held or enjoyed by the favour of and at the pleasure of another person; vulnerable to the will or decision of others. Also figurative. Now rare or merged in other senses, except in technical use with reference to tenancies. 1626.
The Latin word precarius means ‘given as a favour’, or ‘depending on the favour of another person’; and the earliest meaning of the English word precarious relates to the idea of being given something—the right to occupy land, or to hold a particular position—‘at the pleasure of’ another person, who might simply choose to take ...
