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cautious

cautious

210 2.9
Careful to avoid risk or mistakes
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɔːʃəs/
translation icon : cauteloso
  • She was always cautious when crossing the busy street, looking both ways carefully.
  • a cautious approach
  • take a cautious approach
  • need to be cautious

In the future, he'll be more cautious and not get caught.

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Examples

  • He'd been too busy for the movies lately and had to be cautious with his money.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • We just need to be cautious and understand its complexity.

  • In the future, he'll be more cautious and not get caught.

  • So I will now be extra cautious about how I read them.

  • The students would be cautious, but in the end, they would accept the help.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • There is reason to be cautious and strategic.

  • We spent an hour with the King, and his reaction was cautious but positive.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • So I'll be, I'll be very cautious about this.

  • Future researchers should be cautious in the interpretation of such data.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I'm now much more cautious about spectacular findings.

Synonyms

wary
vscautious
110 3.6

Careful because you do not trust someone or something

is careful more generally to avoid risk, not only from distrust
prudent
vscautious
94 6.2

Being careful and thinking ahead when you make decisions

is about immediate careful avoidance of danger rather than long-term planning
vigilant
vscautious
66 6.0

A person who keeps careful watch for danger or problems

is careful and deliberate to avoid risk rather than just watch
watchful
vscautious
37 3.2

Being careful and ready to notice danger or problems

is more about deliberate action to avoid danger than mere watching
on guard
vscautious
27 3.5

Alert and ready to act if danger or problems appear

is more about planned caution to prevent risks rather than quick response
circumspect
vscautious
  • Formal
11 7.9

Careful about possible risks before acting or deciding

is about careful action to avoid danger rather than long deliberation
scrupulous
vscautious
3 7.2

Careful to do things correctly and notice small details

is focused on avoiding danger or mistakes broadly rather than perfect detail
overcautious
vscautious
3 6.1

Being more careful than needed because you are afraid of risk

is careful without going to extremes or unnecessary avoidance
on one's guard
vscautious
4.7

Alert and ready to deal with danger or problems

is focused on careful planned behaviour rather than only being prepared
guarded
vscautious
4.9

Careful about showing feelings or strong opinions to avoid saying too much

is about careful behaviour to avoid danger rather than emotional restraint

Antonyms

193 3.6

Acting without care about danger or the results

41 2.9

Not feeling worried or responsible

1 6.7

Not careful about possible danger or harm

Compounds

Hope mixed with careful doubt about what will happen

A careful comment that avoids strong claims or promises

How Careful

vigilant
66 6.0
wary
110 3.6
cautious
210 2.9
careless
14 1.0
reckless
193 3.6

Surface Forms

cautious positive
cautiouser comparative
cautiousest superlative

Morphology

cautious = caution (transparent) = caution + ous

Formed regularly from the noun 'caution' + adjectival suffix '-ous', meaning 'full of or characterized by caution', which matches the sense.

Etymology

The word cautious comes from the Latin root caut- from cavere meaning 'to be on guard' or 'beware', and it is the same root as the common word caution. So, to be cautious is to act carefully to avoid danger or mistakes.