Perilous vs. dangerous: what’s the difference?
The short answer
The word perilous often connotes a more immediate or intense threat and is often used in formal or literary contexts, whereas dangerous is more commonly used in everyday language to describe a wide range of hazardous situations.
What they have in common
Both perilous and dangerous describe situations or conditions that involve risk, harm, or potential injury.
Examples
perilous
- The explorers embarked on a perilous journey across the uncharted seas.
- Climbing the mountain during the storm was a perilous decision.
- The narrow path along the cliff presented a perilous challenge for the hikers.
dangerous
- Driving fast on icy roads can be extremely dangerous.
- It’s dangerous to leave candles unattended in a room.
- The chemical spill created a dangerous environment for the nearby residents.
Which one is more common?
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us