Words / B2

KORSH-uh-n-uh-ree/ˈkɔːʃənəri/

Cautionary means giving a warning, especially as a story or example: a cautionary tale; cautionary advice. Caution is the noun/verb (already in the dictionary); cautious is careful (already elsewhere). Treat the case as cautionary, not as proof for every town. Mix-up: cautionary vs cautionary as “the whole law”. Do not write cautionary for a cheerful success story with no warning.

Meaning

Giving a warning, especially as a story or example.

Examples

• “Treat the case as cautionary, not as proof for every town.”
• “A cautionary tale in the PSHE source still needs a named risk, which is the warning sense.”

Good to know

a cautionary tale / example; cautionary advice. Noun: caution. Trap: cautious as a synonym for the tale. PSHE, news, and evaluations. Meant as a warning, not a universal law.

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