precautious

[ pri-kaw-shuhs ]

adjective

1. using or displaying precaution:

   a precautious reply; a precautious person.

Word History and Origins

Origin of precautious¹

First recorded in 1705–15; precauti(on) + -ous

Example Sentences

Thus precautious we landed near the village, but were still a good way from the place were we intended to fill our casks.

From Project Gutenberg

On our march from Castilblanco we were, if possible, doubly precautious.

From Project Gutenberg

Such an accident was one against which Bottom, being of an active jaw, might be particularly precautious.

From Project Gutenberg

The change is not present and the sensible way to have agony is not precautious.

From Project Gutenberg

I've always noticed that these directions for use are too precautious.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attentive
• careful
• considerate
• intelligent
• noncommittal
• prudent
• reasonable
• restrained
• tactful
• thoughtful
• watchful

More About Precautious

What does precautious mean?

Precautious is an adjective that means being careful by actively preparing to avoid something negative. It can refer to a person or an action.

Precautious is very similar to cautious. They both mean being prudent to avoid something bad, but precautious has the added sense of doing something beforehand to try to prevent the bad thing from happening.

Example: I decided to be precautious and have my mechanic check out my car before the big road trip.

Where does precautious come from?

Precautious was first recorded in the mid-1600s as a combination of the noun precaution and the adjectival suffix -ous, meaning “full of.” Precaution combines the prefix pre-, meaning “before,” with the noun caution (alertness or care in what could be a bad situation).

So how is precautious different from cautious? The key difference is the pre-. Precautious implies action taken before something actually happens. A person being cautious is being careful, especially in general or during a dangerous situation. A person being precautious has anticipated something negative and is doing something to prepare so that it doesn’t happen.

A word very similar to precautious is precautionary, which describes things that express or are characterized by precaution (a precautionary measure or a precautionary warning).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of precautious?

• precaution (noun, verb)

What are some synonyms for precautious?

• vigilant
• careful
• watchful 

What are some words that share a root or word element with precautious?

• prepare
• cautionary
• caveat

What are some words that often get used in discussing precautious?

• foresight 
• danger
• preparation
• overly (precautious)

What are some words precautious may be commonly confused with?

• cautious

How is precautious used in real life?

When we think people are being too careful by taking unnecessary steps to prepare for something, we often say they are being overly precautious.

I hate that feeling of being OVERLY precautious with the things you say when talking to specific people

— Christiana Akerele (@TR_Christiana) June 7, 2018

Really stuck at home cause the Ubers aren’t running up here 😭 The Hurricane ain’t even hit yet and they are being toooo precautious 🙄

— Lynnster.🌻 (@LynnMoneyyyy) September 3, 2019

Chinese customs' move to suspend the license of a second major Canadian canola exporter is a normal precautious measure for safety, which complies with China's law and international rule: MOFCOM pic.twitter.com/ZpcQQ0adEw

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 28, 2019

 

 

Quiz yourself!

Which of the following examples best describes an action that is precautious?

A. Stepping carefully across a rickety bridge.
B. Putting on a life jacket before going on a boat.
C. Charging wildly into battle without a plan.