parlous

American  

[pahr-luhs] / ˈpɑr ləs /

adjective

1. perilous; dangerous.

   parlous times;

   a cold and parlous winter.

2. Obsolete. clever; shrewd.

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adverb

1. Rare. to a large extent; greatly.

parlous British  

/ ˈpɑːləs /

adjective

1. dangerous or difficult

2. cunning

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adverb

1. extremely

Other Word Forms

• parlously adverb
• parlousness noun

Etymology

Origin of parlous

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of perlous, shortening of perilous

Explanation

Parlous is an adjective that means "dangerous," such as the parlous car trip with a new driver behind the wheel! The first syllable in parlous rhymes with far and is accented: "PAR-less." It means dangerous — something that is parlous might carry the risk or threat of harm, like a parlous experience of being in a boat during a rainstorm. Parlous and perilous are synonyms. In fact, parlous is a shortened version, or contraction, of perilous that came about in the late 14th century.

Example Sentences

A total electricity breakdown on Monday underscored the parlous state of the economy.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

This isn’t the first time that someone has tried to use AI as a shortcut, with parlous consequences.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

You can make a good argument that this news is bearish for bonds, because it surely raises further questions about parlous finances of the U.S. government.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

Conviction is also driving investors, particularly wealthy Europeans who see huge stakes in the continent’s parlous security situation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

He had never been genuinely in love in his life, though nobody had more often fancied himself in that parlous state.

From Fordham's Feud by Mitford, Bertram