caution

[ kaw-shuhn ]

noun

1. alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation; care; wariness:

   Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.

   Synonyms: watchfulness, vigilance, heed, discretion, circumspection

   Antonyms: carelessness

2. a warning against danger or evil; anything serving as a warning:

   By way of caution, he told me the difficulties I would face.

   Synonyms: counsel, advice, admonition

3. Informal. a person or thing that astonishes or causes mild apprehension:

   She's a caution. The way he challenges your remarks is a caution.

verb (used with object)

1. to give warning to; advise or urge to take heed.

   Synonyms: forewarn, admonish

verb (used without object)

1. to warn or advise:

   The newspapers caution against overoptimism.

caution

/ ˈkɔːʃən /

noun

1. care, forethought, or prudence, esp in the face of danger; wariness
2. something intended or serving as a warning; admonition
3. law a formal warning given to a person suspected or accused of an offence that his words will be taken down and may be used in evidence
4. a notice entered on the register of title to land that prevents a proprietor from disposing of his or her land without a notice to the person who entered the caution
5. informal.
   an amusing or surprising person or thing

   she's a real caution

verb

1. tr to urge or warn (a person) to be careful
2. tr law to give a caution to (a person)
3. intr to warn, urge, or advise

   he cautioned against optimism

Derived Forms

• ˈcautioner, noun

Other Words From

• caution·er noun
• over·caution noun verb (used with object)
• re·caution verb (used with object)
• super·caution noun
• un·cautioned adjective
• well-cautioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of caution¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English caucion, from Latin cautiōn-, stem of cautiō “a taking care,” from caut(us) “taken care” (past participle of cavēre “to take care”) + -iō -ion; caveat

Word History and Origins

Origin of caution¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin cautiō, from cavēre to beware

Idioms and Phrases

see throw caution to the winds .

Synonym Study

See warn.

Example Sentences

However, they caution that the inhibition of EZH2 in tumors with high levels of PKCl/i can sometimes counteract therapeutic effects, underscoring the need for precisely tailored treatments for patients with reduced PKCl/i levels.

From Science Daily

The former senior intelligence officer told me, “I am certain that the Five Eyes would exercise greater caution in sharing with the United States.”

From Slate

The AA warned motorists to check forecasts before setting out on the road and to drive with "extreme caution".

From BBC

That could mean the animals act as pollinators for the flowers, the authors note, though they caution that their study couldn’t confirm that.

From Science Magazine

California, which uses more Colorado River water than any other state, responded with caution and cited the 1922 Colorado River Compact, which allocated the river’s water among the states and established the legal framework that continues to govern river management today.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonish
• alert
• exhort
• forewarn
• urge