cautionary

American  

[kaw-shuh-ner-ee] / ˈkɔ ʃəˌnɛr i /

adjective

1. of the nature of or containing a warning.

   cautionary advice; a cautionary tale.

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cautionary British  

/ ˈkɔːʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as a warning; intended to warn

   a cautionary tale

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Etymology

Origin of cautionary

First recorded in 1590–1600; caution + -ary

Explanation

When something is cautionary, it’s meant to be a warning to you. Your parents might be fond of telling cautionary tales, like the one about the girl who got electrocuted sticking a knife into the toaster. While driving, look for cautionary signs warning you of potential danger: falling rocks, kids crossing, hidden driveway. You might use cautionary words: “Watch your step! There’s glass all over the floor!” Don’t confuse cautionary with cautious, which means trying to avoid danger. Tell a cautionary tale about someone drowning because he swam too far out into the ocean and an overly cautious kid might decide never to swim again.

Example Sentences

To avoid the merger trap of cutting so deep it hollows out the brand—the Kraft Heinz merger is the cautionary tale—management plans to plow $100 million of the savings back into marketing and innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant open their book User Friendly with the cautionary tale of the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

He long served as a moral exemplar; he should now serve as a cautionary tale known to all.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

"The news of its sale came as a cautionary tale of how precarious the Wordsworths' heritage in the Lake District has become," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Their curiosity always got the best of them, making him feel like a science experiment, a cautionary tale.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway