adj
cautionary
KAW-shuh-nuh-ree
Cautionary (adj) means serving as a warning. Example: “The film is meant as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.”
adj
1
Serving as a warning.
"The film is meant as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed."
How to use cautionary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeant to warn people about something risky or unwise.
Common pairings
cautionary tale
cautionary note
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more cautionary
- Superlative
- most cautionary
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film is meant as a _____ tale about the dangers of greed.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin cautionarius, related to caution.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cautionary
See all rhymes for cautionary →Frequently asked questions
What does “cautionary” mean?
The word “cautionary” means serving as a warning. In plain terms, meant to warn people about something risky or unwise.
How do you pronounce “cautionary”?
“Cautionary” is pronounced KAW-shuh-nuh-ree (/ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “cautionary” in a sentence?
Here is “cautionary” used in a sentence: “The film is meant as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.”
What part of speech is “cautionary”?
“Cautionary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cautionary” come from?
The word “cautionary” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin cautionarius, related to caution.
