cautious

[ kaw-shuhs ]

adjective

1. showing, using, or characterized by alertness and prudence in a hazardous or uncertain situation; careful or wary:

   Be cautious about clicking on links, as they can often introduce harmful viruses to your computer.

   He offered a measured and cautious interpretation of the study’s results.

   Synonyms: vigilant, watchful, circumspect, chary, wary, guarded, prudent

cautious

/ ˈkɔːʃəs /

adjective

1. showing or having caution; wary; prudent

Derived Forms

• ˈcautiously, adverb
• ˈcautiousness, noun

Other Words From

• cau·tious·ly adverb
• cau·tious·ness noun
• hy·per·cau·tious adjective
• hy·per·cau·tious·ness noun
• su·per·cau·tious adjective
• ul·tra·cau·tious adjective
• ul·tra·cau·tious·ness noun
• un·cau·tious adjective
• un·cau·tious·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cautious¹

First recorded in 1630–40; cauti(on) + -ous

Synonym Study

See careful.

Example Sentences

So, for the most part, you want to make people feel like, if anything, they would get fired for being cautious.

From Freakonomics

We’ve always been more cautious than others about where we get data from and how we build up all audience profiles, we try to rely on site information that we have.

From Digiday

I think of myself as a pretty cautious and thoughtful person when it comes to making decisions.

From Freakonomics

The payments giant announced the project on Wednesday morning, calling it the Central Bank Digital Currencies Testing Platform—a bland title to be sure, but one likely to find favor with cautious central bankers.

From Fortune

Given the pandemic, no one has any real clue who’s going to vote, especially given how Democrats are more likely to be cautious in their approach.

From Ozy

But of course, many middle aged and older Afghans have more than enough experience of violence and disorder to be cautious.

From The Daily Beast

While Downton may be prepared to soldier on with an Isis in the family, other organisations have been more cautious.

From The Daily Beast

There is cautious optimism that this prompt action may have helped avert a broader outbreak.

From The Daily Beast

The only time when Lennox seems a bit cautious is when I ask her about Gaza.

From The Daily Beast

It makes you more cautious and more aware of asking that question of where they were and if they have traveled or not.

From The Daily Beast

But at that insult Garnache's brain seemed to take fire, and his cautious resolutions were reduced to ashes by the conflagration.

From Project Gutenberg

The school was studying louder than ever, and our voices could not have gone beyond the platform; but my friend was cautious.

From Project Gutenberg

Kip Burland took a few more cautious steps in the direction of the figure in white.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb kept at a cautious distance as they moved several blocks up Broadway.

From Project Gutenberg

After that Pike was a little more cautious, and kept aloof for a time; but Val knew that he was still watched on occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• circumspect
• discreet
• judicious
• leery
• prudent
• tentative
• vigilant
• wary
• watchful

More About Cautious

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. 

Where does cautious come from?

The first records of cautious come from around 1630. It is an adjective formed from the noun caution, meaning “alertness and prudence,” and the suffix -ous, which forms adjectives that have a sense of “possessing, full of.” Cautious most often refers to someone who shows or is motivated by caution.

Cautious is a pretty common word because life often throws unexpected hazards at us. You can use cautious when you have a specific reason to be wary or to expect that something bad might happen. People are cautious of outright dangerous things, such as wild animals or open flames, as well as risky situations, such as investing their money.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to cautious?

• cautiously (adverb)
• cautiousness (noun)
• hypercautious (adjective)
• hypercautiously (adverb)

What are some synonyms for cautious?

• careful
• guarded
• vigilant
• wary

What are some words that share a root or word element with cautious? 

• caution
• anxious
• suspicious

What are some words that often get used in discussing cautious?

• danger
• risk
• concern

How is cautious used in real life?

Cautious is a common word that people use when they have misgivings or fear about possible danger.

Marvin Bagley is out tonight with left foot soreness. The team is being cautious with him after he missed eight games with a foot sprain.

— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) January 22, 2020

So many of us crave a better life, but are too cautious to take risks; and risks are what will take us there

— Priya Sher (@Priyafengshui) July 9, 2020

This lady in my apt building says that I am afraid of dogs. I told her I am just being cautious as I have been bitten by a dog before.

— Mister Jones (@deuceohsixx) May 2, 2018

Try using cautious!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of cautious?

A. careful
B. unconcerned
C. wary
D. vigilant