caution

noun

/ˈkɔːʃn/

Idioms

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[uncountable] care that you take in order to avoid danger or mistakes; the fact of not taking any risks
- extreme/great caution
- with caution Statistics should be treated with caution.
- He could find himself making enemies as well as friends unless he proceeds with the utmost caution.
Synonyms care
care
- caution
- prudence
These are all words for attention or thought that you give to something in order to avoid mistakes or accidents.
- care attention or thought that you give to something that you are doing so that you will do it well and avoid mistakes or damage:
  She chose her words with care.
- caution care that you take in order to avoid danger or mistakes; not taking any risks:
  The utmost caution must be exercised when handling explosives.
- prudence (rather formal) a sensible and careful attitude when you make judgements and decisions; behaviour that avoids unnecessary risks:
  As a matter of prudence, keep a record of all your financial transactions.
  Prudence is used particularly in financial contexts.
Patterns
- to do something with care/caution/prudence
- great/extreme care/caution/prudence
- to use/exercise care/caution/prudence
- to proceed with care/caution
Extra Examples
- I must stress the need for caution.
- The information on the website should be treated with some caution.
- The utmost caution must be exercised when handling explosives.
- We proceeded with due caution.
- We urge caution in the use of this medication.
Topics Personal qualitiesc1
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- considerable
- extra
- extreme
- …
verb + caution
- exercise
- take
- use
- …
preposition
- with caution
phrases
- err on the side of caution
- the need for caution
- sound a note of caution
- …
See full entry
[countable] (British English) a warning that is given by the police to somebody who has committed a crime that is not too serious
- As a first offender, she got off with a caution.
- They let her off with a caution.
Topics Crime and punishmentc2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- formal
verb + caution
- get off with
- receive
- give somebody
- …
See full entry
[uncountable, countable] (formal) a warning or a piece of advice about a possible danger or risk
- a word/note of caution
- Some cautions must be mentioned—for example good tools are essential to do the job well.
Extra Examples
- Some cautions must be kept in mind when interpreting these results.
- Some companies have sounded a note of caution about the outlook for the second half of this year.
- The board sounded a note of caution about the economy.
- I would just like to add a word of caution.
Topics Suggestions and advicec1, Dangerc1

Word OriginMiddle English (denoting bail or a guarantee; now chiefly Scots and US): from Latin cautio(n-), from cavere ‘take heed’.

Idioms

throw/cast caution to the wind(s)

to stop caring about how dangerous something might be; to start taking risks
- He threw caution to the wind and dived into the water after the child.

caution

verb

/ˈkɔːʃn/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they caution	/ˈkɔːʃn/ /ˈkɔːʃn/
he / she / it cautions	/ˈkɔːʃnz/ /ˈkɔːʃnz/
past simple cautioned	/ˈkɔːʃnd/ /ˈkɔːʃnd/
past participle cautioned	/ˈkɔːʃnd/ /ˈkɔːʃnd/
-ing form cautioning	/ˈkɔːʃənɪŋ/ /ˈkɔːʃənɪŋ/

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[intransitive, transitive] to warn somebody about the possible dangers or problems of something
- caution against (doing) something I would caution against getting too involved.
- caution somebody against/about (doing) something Sam cautioned him against making a hasty decision.
- caution (somebody) that… The government cautioned that pay increases could lead to job losses.
- caution somebody to do something Employees were cautioned to be careful about what they said to people outside the company.
- caution (somebody) + speech ‘I’d take care if I were you,’ she cautioned (him).
Topics Dangerc1
[transitive] caution somebody (British English, law) to warn somebody officially that anything they say may be used as evidence against them in court
- Suspects must be cautioned before any questions are asked.
[transitive, usually passive] (British English, law) to warn somebody officially that they will be punished if they do something wrong or illegal again
- be cautioned (for something) She wasn't sent to the juvenile court; instead she was cautioned.
Topics Law and justicec2

Word OriginMiddle English (denoting bail or a guarantee; now chiefly Scots and US): from Latin cautio(n-), from cavere ‘take heed’.