What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
precarious
Example
The hiker found himself in a precarious situation when he lost his footing on the steep slope. [precarious: adjective]
Example
The stack of books on the shelf looked precarious and ready to topple over. [precarious: adjective]
risky
Example
It's risky to drive without wearing a seatbelt. [risky: adjective]
Example
Investing all your savings in one stock is a risky move. [risky: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Risky is more commonly used than precarious in everyday language. Risky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while precarious is less common and typically used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between precarious and risky?
Both precarious and risky can be used in formal and informal contexts, but precarious may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
