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. )

Example Sentences

Overall, UOB maintains its cautiously negative outlook for Brent crude oil prices, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paulson, entering her first year as a voting member of the Fed’s policy committee, said in a speech in Philadelphia Saturday that she is cautiously optimistic price increases may ease in the months ahead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since 2022, when costs for basics swelled, many shoppers have spent more cautiously.

From MarketWatch

“I am super bullish, but cautiously so,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The latest storm system transformed the area around the snow lab, Schwartz said, and he is now cautiously optimistic about the rest of the season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carefully
• slowly