cautionary

[kaw-shuh-ner-ee]

adjective

1. of the nature of or containing a warning.

   cautionary advice; a cautionary tale.

cautionary

/ ˈkɔːʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as a warning; intended to warn

   a cautionary tale

Word History and Origins

Origin of cautionary¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; caution + -ary

Example Sentences

This is indeed a cautionary tale: Always request and keep a formal summary plan description and certificate of coverage of all retirement plans and life-insurance policies, together with the last benefits confirmation statement.

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Whatever cautionary value the tale may have had was thus lost, and now here she was, in a hayloft with a pirate, and rather pleased about it, too.

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And the children had showed admirable restraint when it came to both squirrels and pigeons; Penelope had only had to offer a few cautionary reminders and the occasional distracting biscuit.

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In India's febrile and deeply divided political marketplace, his debut, many believe, stands as a cautionary tale: breaking into the system is far harder than diagnosing its flaws from the outside.

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The cautionary tale of the dot-com bubble has also led companies to prioritize organic growth over a reliance on credit-driven strategies.

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