cautious
/ˈkɔːʃəs
/adjective
1(Of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers: a cautious driver firms have been unusually cautious about hiring new workers...
- Most pickpockets are cautious thieves hoping to avoid any kind of confrontation.
- You know that there are people and situations in your life that you need to be cautious and careful about.
- We have been careful and cautious: we don't have Scottish in our name for nothing.
Synonyms
careful, wary, aware, heedful, attentive, alert, watchful, vigilant, circumspect, prudent, guarded, on one's guard, chary, mindful
informal cagey
1.1(Of an action) characterized by the desire to avoid potential problems or dangers: the plan received a cautious welcome...
- The attitudes many of these young people had developed were both cautious and illiberal.
- But the scheme has received a cautious welcome from traders and business groups.
- Traders in Wood Street in Old Town have given a cautious welcome to a parking meter that arrived two weeks ago.
Derivatives
cautiousness
/ noun ...- But I think there are many reasons for cautiousness and carefulness.
- I understand the cautiousness of parents: I am one.
- His foreign policy was characterised by cautiousness and a patient wait-and-see attitude.
Origin
Mid 17th century: from caution, on the pattern of pairs such as ambition, ambitious.