| English Dictionary |
CAUTIONARY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does cautionary mean?
• CAUTIONARY (adjective)
The adjective CAUTIONARY has 2 senses:
1. warding off
2. serving to warn
Familiarity information: CAUTIONARY used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Warding off
Synonyms:
cautionary; prophylactic
Context example:
the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples
Similar:
protective (intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Serving to warn
Synonyms:
admonitory; cautionary; exemplary; monitory; warning
Context example:
an exemplary jail sentence
Similar:
dissuasive (deterring from action)
Derivation:
caution (a warning against certain acts)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"But an unwatched kettle over boils!" (English proverb)
"In my homeland I possess one hundred horses, yet if I go, I go on foot." (Bhutanese proverb)
"The idea came after the drunkness passed away." (Arabic proverb)
"They who are born of chickens scratch the earth." (Corsican proverb)
"In my homeland I possess one hundred horses, yet if I go, I go on foot." (Bhutanese proverb)
"The idea came after the drunkness passed away." (Arabic proverb)
"They who are born of chickens scratch the earth." (Corsican proverb)