cautiously

American  

[kaw-shuhs-lee] / ˈkɔ ʃəs li /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• hypercautiously
  adverb
• ultracautiously
  adverb
• uncautiously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of cautiously

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

Explanation

Acting cautiously means being careful and hesitant, the way you step cautiously into the first dark room of a haunted house. Whenever you use caution as you do something, you're behaving cautiously. The Latin root, cautio, means "caution, care, or foresight." Thinking through possible dangers of a situation, or considering any problems that might come up, is acting cautiously. You should approach that cow cautiously; she kicked the last person who tried to milk her!

Example Sentences

So, with a year to go, Edouard Philippe is cautiously moving his campaign into gear – mindful that being an early favourite in the presidential race is as often a hindrance as an asset.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Some of these parents on Tuesday were cautiously encouraged while concerned that the proposed steps might be insufficient.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

People who know they have reduced hearing might move more cautiously, and social withdrawal caused by hearing loss can also affect walking speed, doctors say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

Still, investors seem cautiously optimistic about the consumer, now that the Iran war isn’t dominating headlines.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

More cautiously this time, he tilted his head to the side and opened his eyes again.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

• carefully
• slowly