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perilous

/ˈpɛrələs/
/ˈpɛrɪlɪs/
IPA guide

Something that is dangerous or very risky can be described with the adjective perilous. If you are driving in a blizzard, you may kick yourself for making such a perilous journey.

The adjective perilous comes from the Latin word periculum, meaning dangerous. Words from the same root include peril, a noun meaning a dangerous situation, and imperil, a verb meaning to put in danger. The last thing you want to do as a parent is to imperil your children. Unfortunately, childhood is filled with peril — from climbing on the monkey bars to eating paste, dirt, or bugs. If you think you can prevent all perilous situations, you haven't been a parent very long!

Definitions of perilous
  1. adjective
    fraught with danger
    “a perilous voyage across the Atlantic in a small boat”
    dangerous, unsafe
    involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
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