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.
Synonym Usage
See careful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cautious
Explanation
Cautious, like careful, means you're on guard. You should be cautious crossing a busy street, or cautious borrowing your sister's new shoes without asking. A fusing of caution and ous, the adjective cautious is the opposite of hasty and rash. It actually comes from the Latin word cautus, which means "careful" or "heedful." Cautious people always take their time, always approach decisions thoughtfully, and never "throw caution to the wind." All that wariness may sound tedious, but as Confucius said, "The cautious seldom err."
Vocabulary lists containing cautious
Legend
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"Scary Tales," Vocabulary from the essay
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"The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Raven"
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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.
“We were very cautious in terms of new spending,”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026
Just be cautious, she said, or consult a professional about whether the conversions would be still subject to the pricey “kiddie tax,” which applies to children and full-time students ages 23 and under.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
Revenue per tourist during the Dragon Boat Festival also came in slightly below last year’s level, suggesting consumers remain cautious about spending.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Kashkari cited distrust of Iran and Middle East instability as reasons for his cautious outlook.
From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026
After a few cautious steps inside, he tried the lighter again, his heart thrumming in a way that had little to do with his running and everything to do with the eerie quiet.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
