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So, I have heard my parents and a bunch of other people say "My plans are dicey".

I always assumed that it means, plans being fluid and not concrete.

Today someone pointed out that dicey means unpredictable and dangerous.

Can someone confirm if the way I use the word "dicey" is correct.

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  • What does a dictionary tell you?
    – Stephie
    Commented Apr 10, 2018 at 17:13
  • Take a look: dictionary.com/browse/dicey Commented Apr 10, 2018 at 17:15
  • I haven't owned or looked at a dictionary in ages! But apparently, that guy is quoting Google search result or where ever Google picks up word definitions from.
    – Aditya
    Commented Apr 10, 2018 at 17:15
  • @Aditya: Most reputable dictionaries have online versions for free, although they are not always as complete as the print versions. ELL expects askers to use a dictionary routinely as necessary to discover basic word meanings. Commented Apr 10, 2018 at 17:43
  • When the situation, whatever it is, is dicey, the situation has a degree of unpredictability, such that things can go wrong. So there's unpredictability with risk. At this point along the river, things get really dicey. You will have to be very careful, as the rapids go from Class 3 to Class 5. Or That itinerary is rather dicey. You have only twelve minutes to make a connecting flight in Chicago.
    – TimR
    Commented Apr 10, 2018 at 18:20

1 Answer 1

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Dicey definitely means chancy and unpredictable, it comes from the idea of rolling dice, an inherently unpredictable action.

Your previous definition works in a way, since fluid plans by nature are able to react to uncertainty, but it is not the same thing.

If you mean your plans flexible or subject to change, fluid is a much better word.

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