cautious
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does cautious mean? Cautious describes using, showing, or characterized by caution, which means a wariness in a dangerous situation, as in Vikram was a cautious man who never jumped straight into things. Cautious is often used to describe the behavior of a person who is concerned about impending danger or possible misfortune. If you are cautious, you are showing care or hesitation before taking an action. Cautious is also used in warnings, as in You should be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. The adverb form of cautious is cautiously, as in Shontel cautiously approached the rickety bridge. The noun form of cautious is cautiousness, as in They reacted with cautiousness to the suspicious man’s generosity. Example: It is a good idea to be cautious when signing contracts and consider your options first.
Synonym Usage
See careful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cautious
Explanation
Cautious, like careful, means you're on guard. You should be cautious crossing a busy street, or cautious borrowing your sister's new shoes without asking. A fusing of caution and ous, the adjective cautious is the opposite of hasty and rash. It actually comes from the Latin word cautus, which means "careful" or "heedful." Cautious people always take their time, always approach decisions thoughtfully, and never "throw caution to the wind." All that wariness may sound tedious, but as Confucius said, "The cautious seldom err."
Vocabulary lists containing cautious
Legend
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Scary Tales," Vocabulary from the essay
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His latest remarks, however, appear to confirm the more cautious approach now favored by the US president, which involves maintaining strong economic pressure on Iran while a military standoff in the Strait of Hormuz persists.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
He adds that he should have taken a more cautious approach to investing in tech stocks.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Yet, compared with the US and UK, adoption in many workplaces remains sluggish and cautious.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
“While recent times have seen the market grow cautious of hedging in general, it is still incumbent upon companies to ensure appropriate risk mitigation,” the analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
The stranger took a few more cautious steps.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
