cautiously

[kaw-shuhs-lee]

adverb

1. in a way that shows alertness and prudence in a hazardous or uncertain situation; carefully; warily.

   He stepped cautiously onto the loose planks.

   I am cautiously optimistic that both parties will accept the compromise.

Other Word Forms

• hypercautiously adverb
• ultracautiously adverb
• uncautiously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cautiously¹

First recorded in 1610–20; cautious ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

The mayor of London has cautiously welcomed reports that he is to impose a tourist levy on visitors staying overnight in the capital.

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He added he is "cautiously optimistic" about progress in tackling climate change.

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Target reported slumping sales and said customers are spending cautiously on discretionary items such as home decor and apparel.

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“Even if the data shows a modest year-over-year increase, I would view it as a cautiously optimistic signal rather than a definitive turning point,” Hepp wrote.

Read more on Barron's

“Even if the data shows a modest year-over-year increase, I would view it as a cautiously optimistic signal rather than a definitive turning point,” Hepp wrote.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• carefully 
• slowly