Words / C2

PAHL-uh-s/ˈpɑːləs/

Parlous means full of danger or uncertainty (literary / formal): a parlous state, parlous finances. Dangerous (already in the dictionary) is everyday likely to harm; hazardous (already in the dictionary) is dangerous of work or chemicals, and precarious (already in the dictionary) is unstable and easily lost — the close twin of uncertainty. Safe (already in the dictionary) is the everyday opposite. “We’ll see” is not night cover.

Meaning

Full of danger or uncertainty (literary / formal).

Examples

• “A parlous night rota still has to name the warden; “we’ll see” is not cover.”
• “Dangerous is everyday likely to harm (already in A2). Hazardous is dangerous of work or chemicals (already in B1). Precarious is unstable; easily lost (already in C1). Safe is not in danger (already in A2) — the contrast. Caution after a dated rota can be exact. Delay instead of a named post is a hole. Write the name; then the risk line.”

Good to know

Dangerously uncertain (literary). Everyday: dangerous / safe (already in this dictionary). Close: hazardous (already in B1); precarious (already in C1). Delay ≠ a warden.

Near in meaning

perilous, precarious, risky, hazardous

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