cautious Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun people who are fearful and cautious
timid.
- whitewater rafting is not for the timid
adjective showing careful forethought; never making swift decisions"
- reserved and cautious
- a cautious driver
adjective satellite avoiding excess
conservative.
- a conservative estimate

Cf. L. cautus, fr. caver. See Caution.

Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general.
Cautious feeling for another's pain. Byron.

Be swift to hear; but cautious of your tongue. Watts.
Syn. -- Wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent; circumspect; discreet; heedful; thoughtful; scrupulous; anxious; careful. -- Cautious, Wary, Circumspect. A man is cautious who realizes the constant possibility of danger; one may be wary, and yet bold and active; a man who is circumspect habitually examines things on every side in order to weigh and deliberate. It is necessary to be cautious at all times; to be wary in cases of extraordinary danger; to be circumspect in matters of peculiar delicacy and difficulty.