caution
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.
to give warning to; advise or urge to take heed.
to warn or advise: The newspapers caution against overoptimism.
Origin of caution
1synonym study For caution
Other words for caution
Opposites for caution
Other words from caution
- 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-cautioned, adjective
Words Nearby caution
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use caution in a sentence
Analysts have expressed some caution about the Nikola Badger, for which the company began taking preorders before announcing its manufacturer.
Nikola stock surges 40% on General Motors partnership news | dzanemorris | September 8, 2020 | FortuneBecause private security officers don’t have the legal protection of the badge, they’re taught to use extra caution when exercising deadly force.
Elmer unwraps some caution tape for ratepayers in the meantime.
Morning Report: City Walks a Fine Line With Franchise Fee Deal | Voice of San Diego | August 7, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThe playground equipment sat unused, swirled in caution tape due to the pandemic.
If Your Local Park Sucks, This Is Probably Why | MacKenzie Elmer | July 6, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoFisheries biologist Allen Andrews has a word of caution about the new research.
Traces from nuclear-weapons tests offer clues to whale sharks’ ages | Maria Temming | May 20, 2020 | Science News For Students
The second set was immediately canceled, and everyone was warned to take caution and head home.
How Richard Pryor Beat Bill Cosby and Transformed America | David Yaffe, Scott Saul | December 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGood 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.
Amanda Knox, Cub Reporter: The Convicted Murderer Is Now Writing Theater Reviews for a Small Seattle Paper | Justin Miller | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMedical authorities of the day often acted less out of an “abundance of caution” than with a general callousness to humanity.
But Soult was possessed of a crafty caution which seldom if ever allowed his ambition to hinder the success his ability deserved.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonThey show to the full the secret of the Marshal's success as a soldier, the blending of ardour with method and dash with caution.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonIn successive letters he reiterates the caution to beware of surprise and treason, and his anxiety for constant news.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonWith all the fiery enthusiasm of the Gael, he possessed to an unusual degree the caution of the Lowland Scot.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison"It's across the lagoon," Dr. Silence cried, but this time in full tones that paid no tribute to caution.
Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon Blackwood
British Dictionary definitions for caution
/ (ˈkɔːʃən) /
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 thing: she's a real caution
(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 advise: he cautioned against optimism
Origin of caution
1Derived forms of caution
- cautioner, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with caution
see throw caution to the winds.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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