caveat emptor

[ kav-ee-aht emp-tawr, -at, kah-vee-, key-; Latin kah-we-aht emp-tohr ]

noun

1. let the buyer beware: the principle that the seller of a product cannot be held responsible for its quality unless it is guaranteed in a warranty.

caveat emptor

/ ˈɛmptɔː /

noun

1. the principle that the buyer must bear the risk for the quality of goods purchased unless they are covered by the seller's warranty

Caveat emptor

1. Latin for “Let the buyer beware.” It means that a customer should be cautious and alert to the possibility of being cheated: “Caveat emptor is the first rule of buying a used car.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of caveat emptor¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1515–25

Word History and Origins

Origin of caveat emptor¹

Latin: let the buyer beware

Example Sentences

Caveat emptor, this list could go on for another dozen easily.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile you trust at your peril, caveat emptor, your eyes are your market, or words to similar effect.

From Project Gutenberg

Selling the suspicion wronged nobody—he would give no warranty with it—Caveat emptor.

From Project Gutenberg

Caveat emptor becomes discredited as an unmodified basis of human action.

From Project Gutenberg

Caveat emptor is the only motto going, and the worst proverb that ever came from dishonest stony-hearted Rome.

From Project Gutenberg

At such times one would do well to remember the old words caveat emptor.

From Project Gutenberg