Perilous is a word that describes something that is full of danger or high risk. Its phonetic transcription is /ˈperələs/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is reduced to an unstressed schwa sound /ə/, followed by the consonant sound /p/. The second syllable begins with the vowel sound /ɛ/ as in "bet", followed by the liquid consonant sound /l/ and the unstressed schwa sound /əs/ at the end. Remembering this phonetic breakdown can help you spell perilous correctly in your writing.
Perilous is an adjective that describes something as full of danger or involving risk. It conveys the idea of a situation or circumstance that possesses the potential for harm, injury, or adversity. When something is described as perilous, it signifies that caution, attention, or precautionary measures are needed.
Perilous can refer to various situations or conditions that possess a high degree of risk. It can describe physical environments that are hazardous or treacherous, such as steep cliffs, deep waters, or dense forests. It can also apply to circumstances that involve vulnerability, such as dangerous activities, precarious occupations, or uncertain situations.
The term perilous can be used to describe both concrete and abstract scenarios. For example, it may be employed to depict a life-threatening expedition, a volatile political climate, or an unstable market. It can also describe emotional states or psychological experiences that are fraught with risk or uncertainty, such as navigating a delicate relationship or making a difficult decision.
Overall, perilous indicates an imminent or latent threat, showcasing the potential for undesirable consequences or harm. Its use underscores the need for awareness, prudence, and preparedness in order to navigate or mitigate the associated risks.
Dangerous; full of peril.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "perilous" derives from the Middle English term "perilous" which means "dangerous" or "risky". It was derived from the Old French word "perilleus" or "perillos", which ultimately came from the Latin word "periculosus". The Latin term "periculum" means "danger" or "trial". The word "periculum" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*per", which means "to try" or "to risk". Overall, the etymology of "perilous" traces back to Latin and has roots in the idea of a risky or dangerous situation.