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

“Core business remains solid in the face of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Cautiously optimistic that a deal will be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” one senior executive told the Institute for Supply Management.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

One fan commented: "It looks good but it remains to be seen how good the story is. Cautiously optimistic."

From BBC • May 29, 2024

Cautiously, the visitors stepped forward to look at the busy, bustling world vibrating inside.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 14, 2021

Cautiously, he raised the plastic cup to his lips and took a gulp.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2017

Cautiously I moved across to the door of the property room.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood

Related Words

• carefully
• slowly