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

As the leader, Verstappen always had the advantage, but the destiny of the race was up in the air until Norris was judged to have transgressed in failing to slow for a yellow caution flag.

From BBC

Dr George said she believed the EA was likely to be erring on the side of caution and public safety, adding safety standards were strict.

From BBC

It was his third caution of the season, meaning he will serve a touchline ban when Brighton travel to Fulham in midweek.

From BBC

"However, some of the changes were relatively modest and should raise caution regarding expectations of long-term and large changes in this patient group."

From Science Daily

Litovitz cautioned, however, that because not all batteries have the blue dye, doctors and parents should not assume that no battery was swallowed if they don’t see that color.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admonish
• alert
• exhort
• forewarn
• urge