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

U.S. rare-earths stocks were cautiously in the green early Thursday after losing momentum over the past few days.

Read more on Barron's

The pair started cautiously in rebuilding the innings before racing through the gears to punish an England bowling attack that had no answers, neither offering a chance in a masterclass of one-day batting.

Read more on BBC

Amid this legal and institutional tug-of-war, the Spanish federation offered its support, while the government trod cautiously through the regulatory maze, waiting to see how events unfolded.

Read more on BBC

“As a result, this moved more shipping toward the very back end of the year,” he said, adding that retailers have been managing inventory more cautiously amid macroeconomic and trade uncertainty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A shakier jobs market and economic outlook are also prompting luxury shoppers to spend more cautiously.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carefully 
• slowly