noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/pɹɪˈkɛəɹɪti/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/pɹəˈkɛɹɪti/
General-American:[-ɾi]
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛəɹɪti
1
noun
Meaning 1
Synonym of precariousness (“the state of being uncertain or unstable”); (countable) an instance of this.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: precariousness
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The condition of existence without predictability or security, thus affecting material or psychological welfare; (countable) an instance of this.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: insecurity
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From precar(ious) + -ity (suffix forming nouns from adjectives denoting the properties, qualities, or states of the adjectives), probably modelled after French précarité (“precariousness; existence without financial or social security”). Compare New Latin precārietās.
Across languages
Translations
19 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
precarietat
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Galician:
precariedade
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
German:
Prekarietät
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
German:
Prekarität
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Italian:
precarietà
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Latin:
precārietās
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Portuguese:
precariedade
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Spanish:
precariedad
— synonym of precariousness (cognates) — see also precariousness
Chinese Mandarin:
(生存狀態的)不穩定性 /(生存状态的)不稳定性
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Finnish:
prekaarius
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Finnish:
epävarmuus
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
French:
précarité
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
German:
Prekarisierung
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Greek:
επισφάλεια
(episfáleia)
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Portuguese:
precariedade
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Romanian:
precaritate
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Spanish:
precariedad
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Swedish:
prekarisering
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
Swedish:
otrygghet
— condition of existence without predictability or security; an instance of this
