caution

UK: /ˈkɔːʃ^ən/ US: /ˈkɔʃən/ ,(kô′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cau•tion /ˈkɔʃən/   n. 

1. [uncountable] alertness in a dangerous situation;
   care:
   Proceed with caution.
2. a warning against danger or evil:
   [countable] The referee issued several cautions to the boxer during the match.

v. 

3. to give advice (to);
   to give a warning (to): [no object]
   I would caution against optimism.
   [~ + object]
   The referee cautioned him about his penalties.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   I caution you not to over-exercise.
   [~ + object + that clause]
   They cautioned her that she would lose her driver's license.

See -caut-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cau•tion  (kô′shən), n. 

1. alertness and prudence in a hazardous situation;
   care;
   wariness:
   Landslides ahead—proceed with caution.
2. a warning against danger or evil;
   anything serving as a warning:
   By way of caution, he told me the difficulties I would face.
3. [Informal.] a person or thing that astonishes or causes mild apprehension:
   She's a caution. The way he challenges your remarks is a caution.

v.t. 

4. to give warning to;
   advise or urge to take heed.

v.i. 

5. to warn or advise:
   The newspapers caution against overoptimism.

• Latin cautiōn- (stem of cautiō) a taking care, equivalent. to caut(us), past participle of cavēre to guard against (cau- take care, guard + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English caucion 1250–1300

cau′tion•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. circumspection, discretion, watchfulness, heed, vigilance.
• 2. admonition, advice, counsel.
• 4. admonish, forewarn. See warn. 

Antonyms

• 1. carelessness.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

caution / ˈkɔːʃən/ noun

1. care, forethought, or prudence, esp in the face of danger; wariness
2. something intended or serving as a warning; admonition
3. a formal warning given to a person suspected or accused of an offence that his or her words will be taken down and may be used in evidence
4. an amusing or surprising person or thing

verb

1. (transitive) to urge or warn (a person) to be careful
2. (transitive) to give a caution to (a person)
3. (intransitive) to warn, urge, or advise: he cautioned against optimism

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French, from Latin cautiō, from cavēre to beware