verb

precipitate

prih-SIH-pih-tayt

verb

To cause something to happen suddenly, often before it is ready to.

"The scandal precipitated his resignation within days."

"A single bad harvest precipitated the famine that followed."

(chemistry) To separate out of a solution as a solid.

"Adding the reagent caused the salt to precipitate out of the solution."

adjective

Acting with reckless haste; hasty or rash.

"He regretted the precipitate decision to quit without another job lined up."

How to Use Precipitate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo trigger something suddenly (verb), or to describe an action taken too hastily (adjective) — plus a specific chemistry meaning for a solid forming out of a liquid.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "precipitous" (steep) or "precipitation" (rainfall) — related words, different jobs.

Easily confused with

precipitous precipitation →

Common pairings

precipitate a crisis precipitate out a precipitate decision

Word Forms

more precipitate comparative, precipitated past tense, precipitates plural, precipitates singular, most precipitate superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The scandal _____ his resignation within days.

Etymology

From Latin praecipitare, \"to throw headlong,\" from praeceps, \"headfirst\" — the same root as precipice.

Synonyms

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headlong

Related Words

headlong

Rhymes for precipitate

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate

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