precipitous

UK: /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/ US: /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/ ,(pri sip′i təs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•cip•i•tous /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/   adj. 

1. like a precipice;
   very steep:
   a precipitous wall of rock; precipitous mountain trails.
2. happening quickly or suddenly;
   precipitate.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pre•cip•i•tous  (pri sip′i təs), adj. 

1. of the nature of or characterized by precipices:
   a precipitous wall of rock.
2. extremely or impassably steep:
   precipitous mountain trails.
3. precipitate.

• obsolete French précipiteux; see precipitate, -ous
• 1640–50

pre•cip′i•tous•ly, adv. 
pre•cip′i•tous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. abrupt, sheer, perpendicular.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. flat, level.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

precipitous / prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/ adjective

1. resembling a precipice or characterized by precipices
2. very steep
3. hasty or precipitate

preˈcipitously adverb

preˈcipitousness noun

USAGE
The use of precipitous to mean hasty is thought by some people to be incorrect