CAUTIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does cautious mean? 

• CAUTIOUS (noun)
  The noun CAUTIOUS has 1 sense:

1. people who are fearful and cautious

  Familiarity information: CAUTIOUS used as a noun is very rare.

• CAUTIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective CAUTIOUS has 2 senses:

1. showing careful forethought

2. avoiding excess

  Familiarity information: CAUTIOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CAUTIOUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

People who are fearful and cautious

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

cautious; timid

Context example:

whitewater rafting is not for the timid

Hypernyms ("cautious" is a kind of...):

people ((plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively)

Derivation:

cautious (showing careful forethought)

• CAUTIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing careful forethought

Context example:

a cautious driver

Similar:

cagey; cagy; chary (characterized by great caution and wariness)

fabian (using cautious slow strategy to wear down opposition; avoiding direct confrontation)

gingerly (with extreme care or delicacy)

guarded; restrained (prudent)

overcautious (unnecessarily cautious)

Also:

unadventurous (lacking in boldness)

careful (exercising caution or showing care or attention)

Antonym:

incautious (lacking in caution)

Derivation:

caution (judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger)

cautious (people who are fearful and cautious)

cautiousness (the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Avoiding excess

Synonyms:

cautious; conservative

Context example:

a conservative estimate

Similar:

moderate (being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme)

 Context examples 

One Ear drew near to her, still alert and cautious, his tail and ears in the air, his head held high.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Our advance, therefore, was very slow, and two hours at least must have passed before I saw by Lord John's cautious movements that we must be close to our destination.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When Jane and Elizabeth were alone, the former, who had been cautious in her praise of Mr. Bingley before, expressed to her sister just how very much she admired him.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Hearing a cautious step behind me, I glanced over my shoulder: one of the strangers—a gentleman, evidently—was advancing up the chancel.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

My examination showed me that I was dealing with a cautious and expert criminal.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Both planets will meet in the conservative and cautious sign of Capricorn.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

“Do be cautious,” she called after me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Buck was no less eager, and no less cautious, as he likewise circled back and forth for the advantage.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

You know, Mrs. Weston, you and I must be cautious how we express ourselves.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

In a firm, though cautious tone, Elinor thus began.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)