French Conversation · Level 106
60 words
French word
précaire
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁekɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectiveprecarious
Example
Sa situation financière est précaire.
Her financial situation is precarious.
More examples
Sa santé est précaire depuis son opération.
His health has been precarious since his operation.
Core concept
A situation balanced on temporary support that may fail when conditions change.
Common phrases
situation financière précaire
precarious financial circumstances
santé précaire
precarious health condition
Similar words
incertain: Not settled or certain, with future conditions remaining unclear.
instable: Lacking stability and subject to frequent change or fluctuation.
provisoire: Set up for temporary use rather than intended to last.
Definition in French
Qui tient grâce à des conditions faibles ou temporaires et peut devenir problématique si ces conditions changent.
Word origin
French précaire comes from Latin precarius, 'obtained by asking', and developed the sense of something dependent on another person's uncertain or revocable support.
Usage tips
- Précaire has the same masculine and feminine form, while the plural is written précaires; the final s is silent.