Word of the Day

: June 2, 2019

circumspect

adjective SER-kum-spekt

What It Means

: careful to consider all circumstances and possible consequences : prudent

circumspect in Context

"The response in several previously frozen markets for short-term financing was extremely positive, and stock investors were jubilant. However, the reaction in longer-term fixed income and commodities markets, especially for gold, has been more circumspect." — James C. Cooper, Business Week, 8 Oct. 2007

"… Churchill resisted the idea of Britain participating as a member of the European Community. He looked upon such entanglements as detrimental to the British Empire he loved. He was even circumspect of their membership in NATO." — Don Cassiday, The Sahuarita (Arizona) Sun, 30 Mar. 2019

Did You Know?

Circumspect, cautious, wary, and chary all imply looking before you leap, but each puts a unique spin on being careful in the face of risk or danger. Circumspect, which descends from Latin circum- ("around") and specere ("to look"), implies the surveying of all possible consequences before acting or deciding (as in "he is circumspect in business dealings"). Cautious suggests fear of danger and the exercise of forethought that it prompts (as in "a cautious driver"). Wary emphasizes suspiciousness and alertness in sensing danger and cunning in escaping it (as in "keep a wary eye on the competition"). Chary implies a cautious reluctance to give, act, or speak freely (as in "she is chary of signing papers without reading them first").