caution

[kaw-shuhn]

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.

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

Other Word Forms

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

Some prominent economists, including Sally Auld, chief economist at National Australia Bank, have already cautioned that the RBA’s narrative could shift toward rate increases as early as the first half of 2026.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While AI could continue to be a market driver, high valuations of many AI leaders carry disappointment risk, Vedda cautions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

However, the league does provide general guidance for supporters on safe ticket buying, publishes a list of known unauthorised ticket websites and urges fans to exercise extreme caution when dealing with these websites.

Read more on BBC

But the sector is not yet mature in terms of technology, commercialisation or use, she cautioned.

Read more on Barron's

A Met Police spokesperson said nobody else had been arrested or interviewed under caution but said the force's investigation "remains ongoing."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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