cautious
gb/kˈɔʃəs/ us/kˈɔʃəs/
B1
Inglés
~ 5900
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
careful to avoid danger or risk
Being very careful so that nothing bad or dangerous happens.
Patrón de uso:
be cautious about [doing something] / a cautious [person/approach/decision]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "cautious" with "conscious" (awake/aware). Also, they may say *"cautious to"* instead of the more natural "cautious about" or "cautious with": say "be cautious about driving at night" or "be cautious with your money."
Sinónimos
careful (Very close in meaning; more common and slightly broader in use.)
|
prudent (More formal; stresses wise and sensible care, especially with money or decisions.)
Antónimos
reckless (Shows no care about danger or risk, often when risk is obvious.)
|
careless (Not giving enough attention, so mistakes or accidents are likely.)
Colocaciones
be cautious about
|extremely cautious
|cautious driver
|cautious approach
|cautious investor
|financially cautious
Temas
daily life
|safety
|work
|money
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- You should be cautious when sharing personal information online.
- The doctor was cautious about changing her medication too quickly.
- He’s a cautious driver and never goes over the speed limit.
- Investors are becoming more cautious after the recent market crash.
- We took a cautious approach and tested the new system on a small group first.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Be cautious when you walk on the ice.
- My father is very cautious with his money.
- The teacher told us to be cautious when using the chemicals.
- She is cautious about meeting people from the internet.
- They made a cautious plan before they started the trip.
adjective
B2
property
2
careful not to reveal too much
Not saying or showing what you really think or feel because you want to be safe or avoid a problem.
Patrón de uso:
be cautious in [one’s words/response] / be cautious about what [someone] says
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with simply being shy. "Cautious" here focuses on being careful for a reason (for example, not wanting to offend), not just being quiet or afraid of people.
Sinónimos
guarded (Stresses holding back information or feelings, especially in speech or expression.)
|
reserved (Suggests a quiet personality and emotional distance, not only risk-avoidance.)
Antónimos
open (Willing to share thoughts and feelings freely.)
|
frank (Very direct and honest in what is said, without holding back.)
Colocaciones
cautious response
|cautious in his comments
|cautious tone
|cautious statement
|cautious public remarks
Temas
communication
|emotions
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The spokesperson was cautious in her comments, avoiding any direct criticism.
- He was cautious about what he said in front of his new boss.
- Her initial reaction was cautious, and she refused to promise anything.
- Politicians are often cautious when talking to the media.
- She gave a cautious answer, not wanting to offend either side.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He is cautious when he talks to new people.
- Her email was short and cautious.
- The manager was cautious in his reply.
- She is cautious about what she says at work.
- They gave a cautious answer to the question.
adjective
B2
property
3
deliberately conservative or modest
Describing a guess or plan that is made smaller or less hopeful on purpose so it is safe and not too high.
Patrón de uso:
a cautious [estimate/forecast/outlook] / cautious optimism about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners may not realize that "cautious" here does not mean physically careful, but rather that numbers or hopes are kept safely low. It is close to the word "conservative" in business news.
Sinónimos
conservative (Common in business/financial contexts; implies safely low numbers or expectations.)
|
measured (Suggests careful and limited, avoiding strong or extreme claims.)
Antónimos
aggressive (In forecasts or plans, suggests taking big risks or using very high numbers.)
|
overly optimistic (Unrealistically hopeful, expecting better results than are likely.)
Colocaciones
cautious estimate
|cautious forecast
|cautious outlook
|cautious projections
|cautious optimism
Temas
business
|science
|politics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Analysts made a cautious estimate of next year’s profits.
- The company gave a cautious forecast for sales growth.
- There is cautious optimism about the new treatment’s long-term effects.
- Economists remain cautious in their outlook for the global economy.
- We took a cautious view of the data and reported the lower figures.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Our plan is based on a cautious estimate of costs.
- Experts are cautious about future prices.
- There is cautious optimism after the new law.
- The report uses very cautious numbers.
- They gave a cautious forecast for next year.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
cautious
AFI
GB/kˈɔʃəs/
US/kˈɔʃəs/
Sílabas y acento
cau - tious (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (cau)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: cautious
Familia de palabras
Core family
caution
noun B2
cautiously
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
incautious
adjective
incautiously
adverb
Advanced or less common
cautiousness
noun
Expresiones
be cautious about
1/bˈi kˈɔʃəs əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
act carefully about something
To be very careful about something so that no problem or danger happens.
Ejemplos
- You should be cautious about who you add on social media.
- Doctors are cautious about giving this drug to children.
- Be cautious about clicking on links in unknown emails.
be cautious of
1/bˈi kˈɔʃəs əv/
fixed phrase
be careful and watchful of
To be careful and not fully trust someone or something because there may be a danger or problem.
Ejemplos
- Be cautious of websites that ask for your bank details.
- Residents are cautious of strangers knocking on their doors.
- Travelers should be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas.
overly cautious
1/ˈoʊvɚli kˈɔʃəs/
fixed phrase
too careful and hesitant
So careful that it may cause problems, for example moving too slowly or missing good chances.
Ejemplos
- Some investors say the central bank is being overly cautious.
- He’s so overly cautious that he rarely tries anything new.
- The safety rules seemed overly cautious to many workers.
take a cautious approach
1/tˈeɪk ə kˈɔʃəs əpɹˈoʊt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
choose a careful strategy
To decide to act in a slow and careful way, without taking big risks.
Ejemplos
- We decided to take a cautious approach to expanding the business.
- The government is taking a cautious approach to reopening schools.
- Teachers should take a cautious approach when using new technology in class.
cautious optimism
1/kˈɔʃəs ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
hopeful but still careful
A feeling that things will probably be good, but with some worry, so you do not feel too sure.
Ejemplos
- Doctors expressed cautious optimism about her recovery.
- There is cautious optimism that a deal can be reached soon.
cautious optimism
2/kˈɔʃəs ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
careful, limited hope
A feeling that things may be good, but with some worry, so you do not feel too sure or too happy yet.
Ejemplos
- There is cautious optimism about the peace talks.
- Scientists expressed cautious optimism after the early test results.
- The team’s win created cautious optimism among fans.
err on the side of caution
1/ˈɛɹ ˈɔn ðə sˈaɪd əv kˈɔʃən/
idiom
choose the safer option
To be more careful than necessary, so that you are safe, instead of taking a risk.
Ejemplos
- Let’s err on the side of caution and bring extra supplies.
- When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating new illnesses.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating very young children.
- We decided to err on the side of caution and cancel the event due to the storm.
err on the side of caution
2/ˈɛɹ ˈɔn ðə sˈaɪd əv kˈɔʃən/
idiom
choose the safer side
To do something in a safer way than necessary because you are not sure and want to avoid any risk.
Ejemplos
- When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
- The school decided to err on the side of caution and cancel classes during the storm.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating very young children.