Perilously

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that subjects an individual or entity to substantial danger In a mode that inherently carries severe risks or potential harm In a way that entails high levels of threat and vulnerability
2. In a way that exposes someone or something to serious harm or jeopardy
3. Acting with great risk that could lead to injury or disaster

Etymology: "Perilously" is a straightforward formation: it takes the adjective "perilous" and adds the adverbial suffix "-ly," which turns a quality into a manner of doing something. So "perilously close" describes closeness in a dangerous way. The adjective "perilous" is itself older, descending from Old French "periller," meaning to endanger, which in turn traces back to Latin "periculum," meaning trial, test, or danger. The adverb arrived in English in its Middle English form, and its core sense has stayed remarkably stable: an action or condition carried out so that harm or risk is nearly certain. Because the word attaches to a manner rather than an object, it is typically used to modify verbs and adjectives, as in leaning perilously over a cliff edge.

Synonyms: dangerously, hazardously, riskily

Antonyms: safely, securely