caution

[kaw-shuh n]

See more synonyms for caution on Thesaurus.com

noun

alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation; care; wariness: Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.
a warning against danger or evil; anything serving as a warning: By way of caution, he told me the difficulties I would face.
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)

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

verb (used without object)

to warn or advise: The newspapers caution against overoptimism.

Origin of caution

1250–1300; Middle English caucion < Latin cautiōn- (stem of cautiō) a taking care, equivalent to caut(us), past participle of cavēre to guard against (cau- take care, guard + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Related formscau·tion·er, nouno·ver·cau·tion, noun, verb (used with object)re·cau·tion, verb (used with object)su·per·cau·tion, nounun·cau·tioned, adjectivewell-cau·tioned, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for caution on Thesaurus.com

1. circumspection, discretion, watchfulness, heed, vigilance. 2. admonition, advice, counsel. 4. admonish, forewarn.

Synonym study

4. See warn.

Antonyms

1. carelessness.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for caution

Contemporary Examples

Good news, in an epidemic as unpredictable as this one, must be met with caution.
How Liberia (Might Have) Beat Ebola
Abby Haglage
November 17, 2014
While the caution that the fragility of this situation calls for cannot be overstated, neither can the successes made thus far.
How Liberia (Might Have) Beat Ebola
Abby Haglage
November 17, 2014
There was “some note of caution” attached to hiring Knox, thanks to the negativity from the case, Robinson said.
Amanda Knox, Cub Reporter: The Convicted Murderer Is Now Writing Theater Reviews for a Small Seattle Paper
Justin Miller
November 4, 2014
Medical authorities of the day often acted less out of an “abundance of caution” than with a general callousness to humanity.
Disease History Vs. Disease Hysteria
Kevin Bleyer
October 19, 2014
Distasteful those ads might be, but restrictions on political speech should be exercised with great deliberation and caution.
Is Big Money Politics an Overblown Evil?
David Freedlander
August 2, 2014

Historical Examples

"Don't come this way," she called back, in quick, low tones of caution.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
On the fourth and fifth days, however, he had the reward for his caution.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
At least, they would go with caution down his trail after that first check.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
And there is one thing that I have to remember to caution Donald about.
Her Father's Daughter
Gene Stratton-Porter
John remembered his mother's caution that he was not to let his Uncle talk much.
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine

British Dictionary definitions for caution

caution

noun

care, forethought, or prudence, esp in the face of danger; wariness
something intended or serving as a warning; admonition
law, mainly British 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
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
informal an amusing or surprising person or thingshe's a real caution

verb

(tr) to urge or warn (a person) to be careful
(tr) law, mainly British to give a caution to (a person)
(intr) to warn, urge, or advisehe cautioned against optimism

Derived Formscautioner, noun

Word Origin

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for caution

n.

c.1300, "bail, guarantee, pledge," from Old French caution "security, surety" (13c.), from Latin cautionem (nominative cautio) "caution, care, foresight, precaution," noun of action from past participle stem of cavere "to be on one's guard" (see caveat). The Latin sense re-emerged in English 16c.-17c. Meaning "word of warning" is from c.1600.

caution

Origin of caution

Synonyms

Synonym study

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for caution

Contemporary Examples

Good news, in an epidemic as unpredictable as this one, must be met with caution.

While the caution that the fragility of this situation calls for cannot be overstated, neither can the successes made thus far.

There was “some note of caution” attached to hiring Knox, thanks to the negativity from the case, Robinson said.

Medical authorities of the day often acted less out of an “abundance of caution” than with a general callousness to humanity.

Distasteful those ads might be, but restrictions on political speech should be exercised with great deliberation and caution.

Historical Examples

"Don't come this way," she called back, in quick, low tones of caution.

On the fourth and fifth days, however, he had the reward for his caution.

At least, they would go with caution down his trail after that first check.

And there is one thing that I have to remember to caution Donald about.

John remembered his mother's caution that he was not to let his Uncle talk much.

caution

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for caution

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with caution

caution

caution

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}caution

Synonyms

Synonym study

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for caution

Contemporary Examples

Good news, in an epidemic as unpredictable as this one, must be met with caution.

While the caution that the fragility of this situation calls for cannot be overstated, neither can the successes made thus far.

There was “some note of caution” attached to hiring Knox, thanks to the negativity from the case, Robinson said.

Medical authorities of the day often acted less out of an “abundance of caution” than with a general callousness to humanity.

Distasteful those ads might be, but restrictions on political speech should be exercised with great deliberation and caution.

Historical Examples

"Don't come this way," she called back, in quick, low tones of caution.

On the fourth and fifth days, however, he had the reward for his caution.

At least, they would go with caution down his trail after that first check.

And there is one thing that I have to remember to caution Donald about.

John remembered his mother's caution that he was not to let his Uncle talk much.

caution

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for caution

n.

v.

Idioms and Phrases with caution

caution

Origin of caution