precipice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "precipice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe a steep cliff or drop-off. For example, "The hiker navigated the narrow path that led to the precipice, where she could see the rolling hills stretching out below her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I tiptoe to the edge and, lying down flat, my hands clutching the cliff's rough stone, I peer over the precipice to see something that would steal the sleep from the most heat-tired of eyes.

The Guardian - Travel

The sensational 150km dirt track from the remote northern town of Chachapoyas to Celelendín climbed up to a height of more than 4,000m before descending along a crumbling ledge clinging to a sheer precipice.

The Guardian - Travel

In 2010 he told the Guardian that he "believe[d] Nigeria is once again on the brink of a precipice".

The Guardian - Books

Europe stands on the precipice of the most awful war the world has ever known.

The Guardian - Film

It refuses to take legal action against the corporate criminals who have pushed Britain to the precipice of a full-blown economic depression.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unless activist bond investors ease the pressure on Spanish debt, the auction tomorrow "takes Spain one step closer to the precipice of needing external help," said Pau Morilla-Giner, senior portfolio manager at London & Capital.

The Guardian - Business

Of course, this isn't the first time Louis has stumbled close to the precipice.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But this particular Cassandra is an optimist: surely even the polarised politics of America will not push its politicians to jump over the precipice in the name of partisan ideology?

The Economist

Hoping to keep this nuclear ex-superpower on the right side of the precipice, he hit Russia with a quota rather than with a punitive tariff that in effect bars all imports.

The Economist

No one knows what law if any will then apply.In this section The Beijing consensus is to keep quiet Annals of weird diplomacy Futenma farce Himalayan precipice System error Winners and losers The troubling dynamics of insurgency Wheel of misfortune ReprintsAgreement seems remote.

The Economist

None of the biggest emerging economies stand on the edge of a dramatic precipice, but their economic prospects have nonetheless started to head downhill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipice" to convey a sense of impending danger or a critical turning point, not just a physical cliff. For instance, "The company stood on the precipice of bankruptcy" is more impactful than "He stood on the precipice of the mountain".

Common error

Avoid using "precipice" in overly casual or trivial contexts. Its gravity can feel out of place if the situation isn't genuinely serious. Opt for less dramatic words like "edge" or "brink" for everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The noun "precipice" functions primarily as a descriptive element, often metaphorically. Ludwig examples show it describing literal cliffs or the brink of dangerous situations. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively highlights impending danger or critical turning points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "precipice" is a grammatically sound noun, frequently employed to denote a steep cliff or, more commonly, a perilous situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used to highlight impending danger. Its usage spans various domains, notably News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, "precipice" is best reserved for contexts that warrant its gravity, avoiding overuse in casual settings. The related phrases provide useful alternatives for nuanced expression. In essence, "precipice" serves as a potent tool for conveying critical junctures and looming threats.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cliff edge

A more literal synonym, focusing on the physical edge of a cliff.

brink of disaster

Emphasizes the disastrous potential of the situation, rather than just a steep edge.

crisis point

Refers specifically to a moment of intense difficulty or danger.

edge of ruin

Focuses on potential destruction and collapse.

moment of truth

Highlights the decisiveness of the current situation.

critical juncture

Highlights the importance of the moment as a turning point.

point of no return

Stresses the irreversibility of potential consequences.

dangerous situation

A more general term for a risky or perilous circumstance.

abyss

Implies a deep, immeasurable space or gulf, whether literal or metaphorical.

verge

Indicates being close to a particular state or event.

FAQs

How can I use "precipice" in a sentence?

You can use "precipice" to describe a literal steep cliff, such as, "The village was located on the edge of a dangerous precipice". More often, it's used metaphorically to describe a dangerous situation, like "The nation was on the precipice of war".

What words are similar to "precipice"?

Several words share a similar meaning to "precipice", including "brink", "edge", "cliff", and "abyss". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the precipice of disaster"?

Yes, "on the precipice of disaster" is a correct and common usage. It conveys that a calamitous event is imminent or very likely to occur.

What is the difference between "precipice" and "cliff"?

"Cliff" refers specifically to a steep, vertical rock face. "Precipice" can refer to a literal cliff, but often implies a dangerous or critical situation. Thus, a precipice is a cliff but also something more.