Definition of cautious
: careful about avoiding danger or risk cautious investors cautious optimism
cautiously
adverbcautiousness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of cautious in a Sentence
Any cautious tourist will guard her passport.
You cannot be overly cautious when you're driving in snow.
He answered the question with a cautious reply.
Recent Examples of cautious from the Web
-
After experiencing a setback by pushing it too hard, the Mariners are being cautious.
-
The park says hikers should be extra cautious during the summer by packing enough water and letting someone know of their whereabouts.
-
So doctors have become more cautious in prescribing antibiotics, hoping to reduce the pressures of natural selection that fuel resistance.
-
Ms. Copeland is a careful, cautious dancer, most comfortable in a middle zone, striking beautiful poses.
-
But new administrations are generally cautious in their handling of interactions with Moscow, which U.S. intelligence agencies have accused of waging an unprecedented campaign to interfere in last year's presidential race and help elect Trump.
-
That's all the more reason to be cautious about such pronouncements.
-
As for spending the $40,000 Baker award, Alcorn sounds a cautious note.
-
The Hang Seng, reacting to news of high levels of unemployment and cautious of a government land auction, fell 1.64 percent.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cautious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of cautious
see 1caution
Synonym Discussion of cautious
CAUTIOUS Defined for English Language Learners
cautious
playDefinition of cautious for English Language Learners
-
: careful about avoiding danger or risk
CAUTIOUS Defined for Kids
cautious
playDefinition of cautious for Students
: showing or using care to avoid trouble or danger
cautiously
adverbLearn More about cautious
-
See words that rhyme with cautious Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cautious Spanish Central: Translation of cautious Nglish: Translation of cautious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cautious for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up cautious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!