How to pronounce precipitous
Say it like prih-SIP-ih-tus. Precipitous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce precipitous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- prih
- SIP
- ih
- tus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Precipitous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- prihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SIPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of precipitous
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: prih-SIP-ih-tus.
What does precipitous mean?
- Steep, like a precipice“a precipitous cliff”
- Headlong“a precipitous fall”
- Hasty; rash; quick; sudden“precipitous attempts”
Where does precipitous come from?
From obsolete French précipiteux, from Vulgar Latin *praecipitōsus, from praeceps, praecipit- (“ precipice”) + -ōsus (“-ful, -ous”), from prae- (“before”) + caput (“head”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with precipitous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of precipitous.
Questions about saying precipitous
How do you pronounce precipitous?
Say prih-SIP-ih-tus. The American pronunciation is /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/. In British English it is /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in precipitous?
Precipitous has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SIP). Broken into parts: prih · SIP · ih · tus.
Is precipitous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/ (prih-SIP-ih-tus).