precipitous

Compared meaning: very steep (adjective).

比较义项：陡峭的（形容词）。

• steep

  The common, neutral word for a sharp slope or incline; used freely for both literal terrain and figurative sharp rises, in everyday speech and writing.

  最常用、最中性的说法，指陡峭的坡度或斜坡；既可用于字面的地形，也可用于比喻性的急剧变化，口语和书面语中都很常见。

  The path up the hill was steep and tiring.

  上山的小路很陡峭，走起来很累人。

• precipitous 本词

  A stronger, more formal word for an extremely sharp slope or drop; especially common in figurative use for a sudden, dramatic decline, such as in prices or numbers.

  语气更强、更正式的说法，指极其陡峭的坡度或下降；尤其常见于比喻性语境，形容价格或数字等的骤然下跌。

  Stock prices took a precipitous drop after the announcement.

  消息公布后，股价出现了断崖式下跌。

Steep and precipitous both mean very steep, but steep is common and neutral, for real slopes and figurative use. Precipitous is more formal and stronger, often for a sudden, dramatic drop, as in prices. Not compared: precipitous meaning hasty.

steep 和 precipitous 在“陡峭”这一义项上意思相近，但语气强弱和使用场合不同：steep 是最常用、最中性的说法，precipitous 更正式，语气更强，多用于比喻性的骤降。这里不比较 precipitous 表示“仓促的、不假思索的”这一义项。

Compared meaning: done too quickly, without enough thought (adjective).

比较义项：做事过快、考虑不周（形容词）。

• hasty

  The mildest and most general word for acting or deciding too quickly without enough thought; neutral in tone, used for decisions, conclusions, retreats, or a person's temperament.

  语气最温和、用法最通用的词，指做决定或行事过快、考虑不周；语气中性，可用于决定、结论、撤退或人的性格。

  Don't be so hasty — think it over before you sign anything.

  别这么急躁——先把事情想清楚，再签任何东西。

• precipitous 本词

  Strongly associated with a sudden, steep decline or drop in figures such as prices, rates, or sales; more formal, and rarely used to describe a person's own decision-making.

  强烈地与价格、比率、销量等数值的骤然、大幅下跌相关联；语气较正式，很少直接用来形容人做决定的方式。

  The company's precipitous decline in sales alarmed shareholders.

  公司销售额的骤然下滑令股东们感到震惊。

• hurried

  Emphasizes that the speed is caused by a lack of time; typically describes physical actions like meals, farewells, or departures rather than abstract decisions.

  强调匆忙的原因是时间不够；通常形容用餐、告别、出发等具体动作，而不是抽象的决定。

  She said a hurried goodbye before running to catch her train.

  她匆忙地道了别，然后跑去赶火车。

• headlong

  Emphasizes reckless, unthinking momentum, as if plunging forward without checking; often paired with verbs like rush or plunge, giving it a stronger, more dramatic tone.

  强调不顾一切、未经思考地猛冲向前，常与 rush、plunge 等动词搭配，语气更强烈、更具戏剧性。

  He plunged headlong into a risky investment without doing any research.

  他不假思索地一头扎进一项高风险投资，事先没有做任何调查。

All four mean acting too fast, without enough thought. Hasty is mildest, for decisions or character. Precipitous means a sudden drop, as in prices; formal. Hurried means rushed by lack of time. Headlong means reckless and unthinking. Not compared: precipitous's steep sense, headlong's head-first sense.

这几个词都表示做事过快、考虑不周，但语气和搭配不同：hasty 语气最中性，可用于决定、结论、撤退或性格；precipitous 常用于价格、比率等数值的骤然下跌，语气较正式；hurried 强调因时间不够而匆忙，多用于具体动作；headlong 强调不顾后果地鲁莽行事，语气更强烈。这里不比较 precipitous 表示“陡峭的”（如悬崖）的本义，也不比较 headlong 表示“头朝前猛冲”的字面动作意义。