cautionary

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈkɔʃəˌnɛriː/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Intended to warn or advise against something; serving as a warning or lesson.; Characterized by or expressing caution; careful and prudent.; Serving as a caution or deterrent; designed to prevent undesirable behavior or outcomes.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more cautionary Superlative: most cautionary

Collocations

cautionary talecautionary notecautionary examplecautionary wordsserve as a cautionary tale

Derivatives

cautioncautiouscautiouslycautiousnesscautionary tale

Synonyms

warningadmonitoryadmonishingadvisoryexemplary

Antonyms

encouragingreassuring

Commonly confused

cautious
EN: 'Cautious' describes a person or action that is careful; 'cautionary' describes something that serves as a warning to others.
caution
EN: 'Caution' is the noun (the act of being careful) or verb (to warn); 'cautionary' is the adjective meaning 'serving as a warning'.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember that 'cautionary' is formed from 'caution' + '-ary' (not '-ory'). Do not confuse it with 'cautious' which uses a different suffix.

💬 Examples

  1. The teacher told a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing near the river.

  2. She took a cautionary approach to investing, preferring low-risk bonds over volatile stocks.

  3. The cautionary signs along the cliff edge reminded hikers to stay back from the precipice.