noun
caution
KAWSHN
noun
1
Careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes.
"Proceed with caution — the road is icy ahead."
2
A formal warning given by police instead of pursuing prosecution for a minor offense (chiefly UK).
"He received a police caution for the minor shoplifting incident."
verb
1
To warn someone about a risk or potential consequence.
"The doctor cautioned her against skipping her medication."
How to Use Caution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCarefulness to avoid risk, or a formal warning; as a verb, to warn someone.
UK vs US
The "formal police warning instead of charging someone" sense is distinctly British; American English doesn't use "caution" this way.
Common pairings
exercise caution
proceed with caution
issue a caution
Word Forms
cautioned past tense, cautions plural, cautions singular
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Proceed with _____ — the road is icy ahead.
Etymology
From Old French caution ("security, guarantee"), from Latin cautio, from cavere, "to be on one's guard."