caution
KAWSHN
Caution (noun) means Careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes. Example: “Handle the glassware with caution, because it breaks very easily.”
noun
1
Careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes.
"Handle the glassware with caution, because it breaks very easily."
"Investors were urged to show caution before putting money into the scheme."
"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).
"Officers gave the teenager a caution and sent him home."
"A caution can still show up on some background checks."
"He received a police caution for the minor shoplifting incident."
verb
1
To warn someone about a risk or potential consequence.
"The guide cautioned us not to swim near the rocks."
"Experts have cautioned that prices may rise again next winter."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- cautions
- Third person singular
- cautions
- Past tense
- cautioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Handle the glassware with _____, because it breaks very easily.
Etymology
From Old French caution ("security, guarantee"), from Latin cautio, from cavere, "to be on one's guard."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
incaution
Related words
Rhymes for caution
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for caution →
Frequently asked questions
What does “caution” mean?
The word “caution” means careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes. In plain terms, carefulness to avoid risk, or a formal warning; as a verb, to warn someone.
How do you pronounce “caution”?
“Caution” is pronounced KAWSHN (/ˈkɔʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “caution” in a sentence?
Here is “caution” used in a sentence: “Proceed with caution — the road is icy ahead.”
What is another word for “caution”?
Words with a similar meaning to “caution” include cautiousness, caginess, care, carefulness, circumspection and heed.
What is the opposite of “caution”?
The opposite of “caution” — its antonyms — is incaution.
What part of speech is “caution”?
Depending on how it is used, “caution” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “caution” come from?
The word “caution” comes from Latin. From Old French caution ("security, guarantee"), from Latin cautio, from cavere, "to be on one's guard.".
Is “caution” a common word?
“Caution” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'caution' and 'warning'?
'Caution' is careful attention to avoid danger or mistakes, and as a verb it means to advise someone of a risk. A 'warning' is usually stronger and more direct, alerting someone to a definite danger, whereas a caution urges care rather than signalling a clear threat.
What is the difference between 'caution' and 'precaution'?
'Caution' is the general quality of careful attention to avoid danger. A 'precaution' is a specific action taken in advance to prevent a problem, such as wearing a seatbelt; caution is the mindset, while a precaution is the concrete step.
What are common phrases that use 'caution'?
Frequent collocations include 'proceed with caution,' 'exercise caution,' and 'a word of caution.' The idiom 'throw caution to the wind' means to act boldly or recklessly without worrying about the risks.
