🇬🇧🇨🇳 perilous - 危险的 : English Lesson

Meaning of "perilous" ("危险的"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Perilous means something is so dangerous that you could get hurt if you’re not very careful. A perilous situation is risky, unsafe, and not a good idea, like walking on the edge of a cliff, trying to ride a bike on a tightrope, or poking a sleeping dragon with a stick.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

The cat gave me a perilous look when I tried to move it from my chair, so I decided to stand instead.

The perilous part of making a giant sandwich was trying to bite it without unhinging my jaw like a snake.

It was a perilous decision to let my little brother hold the hose; within seconds, the entire backyard was a water park.

Balancing a full bowl of cereal on my head while opening the door for the dog was a perilous breakfast experiment.

Walking barefoot through a field of toy blocks is perilous—scientists say it’s one of the most powerful pain signals known to parents.

Anna climbed a narrow, wet ledge. The path was perilous, the wind was perilous, the sea below a perilous roar. A loose rock made a single perilous slip; Anna grabbed a root. At last, she crawled to safe ground and laughed at the perilous ride, heart pounding, alive. Her hands shook.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.