caution

Care taken to avoid danger, harm, or mistakes.

• Drive with caution on icy roads.
• She exercised caution before investing her savings.
• His caution prevented a serious accident.

How to use it: with caution (Approach the dog with caution.)

Similar words: care, carefulness, prudence

Opposites: recklessness

Common phrases: with caution, exercise caution, extreme caution

A warning about a possible problem or danger.

• She added a word of caution.
• The label includes a caution about hot surfaces.
• His cautions about the risks were ignored.

How to use it: a caution about something (The guide offered a caution about strong currents.); a caution against doing something (The notice included a caution against swimming alone.)

Similar words: warning

Common phrases: word of caution, caution about something, caution against something

An official police warning given for an offence, instead of taking the person to court.

• The police gave him a caution.
• She received a formal caution for the offence.
• A second offence may lead to prosecution rather than another caution.

How to use it: a caution for something (He received a caution for shoplifting.)

Similar words: warning

Common phrases: police caution, receive a caution, formal caution

To warn someone about danger or advise them to be careful.

• The doctor cautioned me to rest.
• She cautioned him against spending all his money.
• Experts caution that the figures may change.

How to use it: caution someone against doing something (She cautioned me against driving in the storm.); caution someone about something (He cautioned us about the slippery steps.); caution someone to do something (The officer cautioned us to stay back.)

Similar words: warn, advise

Common phrases: caution someone against, caution someone about, caution someone to