cautious

adjective

cau·​tious ˈkȯ-shəs 

: careful about avoiding danger or risk

cautious investors

cautious optimism

cautiously adverb

cautiousness noun

Synonyms

• careful
• wary
• alert

Choose the Right Synonym for cautious

cautious, circumspect, wary, chary mean prudently watchful and discreet in the face of danger or risk.

cautious implies the exercise of forethought usually prompted by fear of danger.

a cautious driver

circumspect suggests less fear and stresses the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding.

circumspect in his business dealings

wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in watching for danger and cunning in escaping it.

keeps a wary eye on the competition

chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely.

chary of signing papers without having read them first

Examples of cautious in a Sentence

Any cautious tourist will guard her passport.

You cannot be overly cautious when you're driving in snow.

He answered the question with a cautious reply.

Recent Examples on the Web

The house’s enduring success lies in a cautious balance of timeless design and reinvention. —Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Ficco urged those who sports bet to use reputable online big platforms, do research about where people deposit their money and be cautious. —Patricio Chile, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025

Cracker Barrel’s core older customer base remained cautious about dining out after the pandemic and visited the chain less often. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

Adjusting your settings and being cautious about sharing content can make a difference. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see caution entry 1

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cautious

• hyper-cautious

Rhymes for cautious

• incautious
• monoecious
• nauseous

Kids Definition

cautious

adjective

cau·​tious ˈkȯ-shəs 

: marked by or given to caution

a cautious reply

cautiously adverb

cautiousness noun