What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dicey
Example
It's a bit dicey to invest all your money in one stock. [dicey: adjective]
Example
The weather looks dicey, so we should postpone our outdoor plans. [dicey: adjective]
precarious
Example
The company's financial situation is precarious, and layoffs are expected. [precarious: adjective]
Example
The hiker's position on the cliff was precarious, and he needed help to get down. [precarious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dicey is more commonly used than precarious in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Precarious is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts, such as academic writing or legal documents.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dicey and precarious?
Precarious is generally considered more formal than dicey, and is often used in academic or technical writing. Dicey is more informal and colloquial, and is often used in casual conversation or informal writing.