cautious
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does cautious mean? Cautious describes using, showing, or characterized by caution, which means a wariness in a dangerous situation, as in Vikram was a cautious man who never jumped straight into things. Cautious is often used to describe the behavior of a person who is concerned about impending danger or possible misfortune. If you are cautious, you are showing care or hesitation before taking an action. Cautious is also used in warnings, as in You should be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. The adverb form of cautious is cautiously, as in Shontel cautiously approached the rickety bridge. The noun form of cautious is cautiousness, as in They reacted with cautiousness to the suspicious man’s generosity. Example: It is a good idea to be cautious when signing contracts and consider your options first.
Related Words
See careful.
Other Word Forms
- cautiously adverb
- cautiousness noun
- hypercautious adjective
- hypercautiousness noun
- supercautious adjective
- ultracautious adjective
- ultracautiousness noun
- uncautious adjective
- uncautiousness noun
Etymology
Origin of cautious
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The central bank struck a cautious tone on inflation, saying that core measures remain muted but that risks stemming from the conflict render some uncertainty to the outlook.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
"At this early stage, I am extremely cautious regarding what is fact vs. fiction or misrepresentation," Graham wrote on X.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
But Jan Doyle, who lived through the experience of giving birth in a mother and baby home, is cautious.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
At the same time, researchers have been cautious about developing hormonal approaches, partly due to safety concerns observed in women.
From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026
Paul, a pacifist who did not support the war, was cautious not to criticize pro-war suffragists or the war itself.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
