PRECIPITOUSLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does precipitously mean? 

• PRECIPITOUSLY (adverb)
  The adverb PRECIPITOUSLY has 2 senses:

1. very suddenly and to a great degree

2. abruptly; in a precipitous manner

  Familiarity information: PRECIPITOUSLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRECIPITOUSLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Very suddenly and to a great degree

Synonyms:

precipitously; sharply

Context example:

prices rose sharply

Sense 2

Meaning:

Abruptly; in a precipitous manner

Context example:

the mountains rose precipitously from the shore

Pertainym:

precipitous (extremely steep)

 Context examples 

Eel populations have declined precipitously since 1980.

(Study uncovers magnetic memory of European glass eels, National Science Foundation)

Rod photoreceptors, the light-sensing cells that die off first in retinitis pigmentosa, were precipitously lost along with a surge in the expression of neurotoxic inflammatory cytokines.

(Immune system can slow degenerative eye disease, National Institutes of Health)