Words / B2

KORSH-uh-s/ˈkɔːʃəs/

Cautious means careful to avoid problems or danger: a cautious driver, cautious about sharing data. Careful is the everyday cousin; careful can also mean thorough (a careful check), while cautious stresses risk. Caution is the noun; cautiously is the adverb. In speech, careful or wary is enough. Do not use cautious as a synonym for slow in every meeting — slow might be inefficiency, not sense.

Meaning

Careful to avoid problems or danger.

Examples

• “Be cautious when you share personal data.”
• “Be cautious when you click links in unexpected emails.”
• “The committee was cautious about promising a date it could not meet.”

Good to know

Careful to avoid risk. Noun: caution. Everyday: careful / wary. Contrast: careful can also mean thorough.

Near in meaning

careful

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