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View synonyms for

caution

[kaw-shuhn]

noun

  1. alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation; care; wariness.

    Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.

    Synonyms: , , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. a warning against danger or evil; anything serving as a warning.

    By way of caution, he told me the difficulties I would face.

    Synonyms: , ,
  3. Informal.a person or thing that astonishes or causes mild apprehension.

    She's a caution. The way he challenges your remarks is a caution.



verb (used with object)

  1. to give warning to; advise or urge to take heed.

    Synonyms: ,

verb (used without object)

  1. to warn or advise.

    The newspapers caution against overoptimism.

caution

/ ˈɔːʃə /

noun

  1. care, forethought, or prudence, esp in the face of danger; wariness

  2. something intended or serving as a warning; admonition

  3. law a formal warning given to a person suspected or accused of an offence that his words will be taken down and may be used in evidence

  4. a notice entered on the register of title to land that prevents a proprietor from disposing of his or her land without a notice to the person who entered the caution

  5. informalan amusing or surprising person or thing

    she's a real caution

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to urge or warn (a person) to be careful

  2. (tr) law to give a caution to (a person)

  3. (intr) to warn, urge, or advise

    he cautioned against optimism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • cautioner noun
  • overcaution noun
  • recaution verb (used with object)
  • supercaution noun
  • uncautioned adjective
  • well-cautioned adjective
  • ˈܳپDzԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of caution1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English caucion, from Latin ܳپō-, stem of ܳپō “a taking care,” from caut(us) “taken care” (past participle of ŧ “to take care”) + -ion; caveat
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Word History and Origins

Origin of caution1

C13: from Old French, from Latin ܳپō, from ŧ to beware
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Idioms and Phrases

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Synonym Study

See warn.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A police car was parked outside the Hortmans' house and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the property.

From

Although people will be allowed back into fire-affected communities, public safety and health authorities are asking them to exercise caution, such as wearing an N-95 mask to prevent exposure to toxic dust.

From

A police car stood guard outside the Hortman's house, and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the home, now an active crime scene.

From

"If anything, it humanises the family a bit," he explains, but he cautions there could be a greater impact on their reputation if the feud escalates or more damaging rumours come to light.

From

Undocumented immigrants, and even those here legally but fear they could be racially profiled, are exercising extra caution navigating their daily lives.

From

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