caution

American  

[kaw-shuhn] / ˈkɔ ʃən /

noun

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

   Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.

   Synonyms:

   vigilance , heed , watchfulness , 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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

caution Idioms  

1. see throw caution to the winds.

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Related Words

See warn.

Other Word Forms

• cautioner noun
• overcaution noun
• recaution verb (used with object)
• supercaution noun
• uncautioned adjective
• well-cautioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of caution

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the prices index expanded at a quicker pace than in October, the data showed, raising potential caution for Federal Reserve policymakers amid inflation concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In truth, the material needs more work," she cautioned.

From BBC

A variety of tailwinds appear poised to help stocks power ahead, potentially offsetting risks such as a potential Supreme Court ruling that could disrupt expectations regarding tariffs and increasing caution among retail investors.

From Barron's

However, an open letter signed by more than 140 academics, campaigners and other experts cautioned that a ban would be "too blunt an instrument".

From Barron's

Police announced the death toll in a news conference on Sunday, cautioning that they "cannot rule out the possibility of further fatalities".

From BBC

Related Words

• attention
• care
• discretion
• foresight
• prudence
• vigilance