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noun Uncommon

caveat

KA-vih-at

Caveat (noun) means a warning or condition attached to a statement, agreement, or piece of advice. Example: “I'll recommend the restaurant, with the caveat that service can be slow.”

noun
1
A warning or condition attached to a statement, agreement, or piece of advice.
"I'll recommend the restaurant, with the caveat that service can be slow."
"The contract came with several caveats about liability."
verb
1
To attach a warning or qualification to something you say.
"Let me caveat that by saying the figures are still provisional."

How to Use Caveat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA warning or condition you attach to something, meaning "this comes with a catch."

Memory tip

You'll most often meet it as a noun after "with the caveat that…"

Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
with one caveat an important caveat caveat emptor

Word Forms

caveated past tense, caveats plural, caveats singular

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Fill the Gap

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I'll recommend the restaurant, with the _____ that service can be slow.

Etymology

From Latin caveat, "let him beware" — a form of the verb caveō, "to be on guard." A doublet of "show."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for caveat

See all rhymes for caveat →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “caveat” mean?

The word “caveat” means a warning or condition attached to a statement, agreement, or piece of advice. In plain terms, a warning or condition you attach to something, meaning "this comes with a catch.".

How do you pronounce “caveat”?

“Caveat” is pronounced KA-vih-at (/ˈkæviɑt/ in IPA).

How do you use “caveat” in a sentence?

Here is “caveat” used in a sentence: “I'll recommend the restaurant, with the caveat that service can be slow.”

What part of speech is “caveat”?

Depending on how it is used, “caveat” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “caveat” come from?

The word “caveat” comes from Latin. From Latin caveat, "let him beware" — a form of the verb caveō, "to be on guard." A doublet of "show.".

Is “caveat” a common word?

“Caveat” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “caveat” have?

“Caveat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a warning or condition attached to a statement, agreement, or piece of advice.

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