caution

noun

Prudence when faced with, or when expecting to face, danger; care taken in order to avoid risk or harm.

A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided.

(law) A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.

(soccer) A yellow card.

Security; guaranty; bail.

(dated) One who draws attention or causes astonishment by their behaviour.

verb

(transitive) To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

(soccer) To give a yellow card.

Roots

caveocaut- · Latin · beware, guard

Synonyms for caution

cautiousnessn circumspectionn precautionn carefulnessn caveatn admonishv warinessn forethoughtn warningn prudencen monitionn admonitionn heedv watchfulnessn admonishmentn heedfulnessn

Synonyms & related words for caution

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of caution — including cautiousness, circumspection, precaution, carefulness, caveat, admonish. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to caution

Explore words related to caution — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include chariness, cautionary, precautious, cautious, warningly, careful, beware, wary. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for caution

Common synonyms for caution include cautiousness, circumspection, precaution, carefulness, caveat, admonish, wariness, forethought — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does caution come from?

The word caution breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root caut-, from Latin caveo (“beware, guard”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.