caution

caution — noun

1. the behaviour of being very careful in what you do, so that you avoid danger, mi

1.nounC1
Definition

the behaviour of being very careful in what you do, so that you avoid danger, mistakes, or unnecessary risks

Example

The lab technician handled the chemicals with great caution to avoid accidents.

collocation: with great caution

Dr. Okafor advised us to proceed with caution when investing in unfamiliar markets.

collocation: proceed with caution

Common collocations
  • exercise caution
  • use caution
  • proceed with caution
  • extreme caution
  • great caution
  • extra caution
Synonyms
  • care

    more general; caution adds a sense of avoiding potential danger

  • prudence

    more formal, often about long-term decisions rather than immediate actions

  • vigilance

    focuses on staying alert and watchful over a period of time

  • wariness

    suggests distrust or suspicion of a specific threat

Antonyms

Usage Note

Often used in fixed phrases such as "with caution," "exercise caution," and "proceed with caution." Frequently appears in official warnings or safety instructions.

Common Mistakes

You should take caution when crossing the street.
You should use caution when crossing the street.
The common collocation is 'use caution' or 'exercise caution,' not 'take caution.'

2. an official spoken warning issued by the police when a person commits a minor cr

2.noun
Definition

an official spoken warning issued by the police when a person commits a minor crime, serving as an alternative to legal prosecution

Example

The officer gave Leila a caution for riding her bicycle on the footpath after dark.

Yusuf received a police caution for shoplifting and was not taken to court.

passive: receive a caution

Common collocations
  • receive a caution
  • accept a caution
  • give someone a caution
  • police caution
  • formal caution
Synonyms
  • warning

    more general; caution is specifically a formal police procedure

  • reprimand

    more formal, can be given by any authority figure, not just police

Usage Note

Chiefly British English. In the UK, a police caution is an alternative to prosecution for minor offences. "Accept a caution" and "receive a caution" are the usual collocations.

Common Mistakes

The judge gave him a caution in court.
The police gave him a caution at the station.
A caution is given by the police, not a judge in court.

3. information or guidance given to someone to alert them about possible danger, pr

3.noun
Definition

information or guidance given to someone to alert them about possible danger, problems, or unwanted outcomes

Example

The travel guide issued a caution about swimming in the strong coastal currents.

collocation: issue a caution

Noa's mother added a word of caution before she left for the mountain trip.

phrase: a word of caution

Common collocations
  • word of caution
  • note of caution
  • issue a caution
  • offer a caution
  • caution about
Synonyms
  • warning

    stronger and more urgent; caution is gentler advice

  • advisory

    more formal, often official or written

  • alert

    more urgent, often about an immediate threat

Usage Note

Often found in common set phrases such as "a word of caution" or "a note of caution." Can be used with "against" to specify what action is being warned about.

Common Mistakes

The doctor gave me caution to not eat too much salt.
The doctor gave me a word of caution about eating too much salt.
When giving advice rather than a formal warning, use the set phrase 'a word of caution.'

4. a yellow card that a football referee shows to a player who has broken the rules

4.noun
Definition

a yellow card that a football referee shows to a player who has broken the rules, as an official warning and punishment

Example

Diego received a caution after a dangerous tackle in the second half of the match.

A second caution meant the player was sent off the field and could not return.

consequence: second caution = red card

Common collocations
  • receive a caution
  • show a caution
  • second caution
  • booked for a caution
Synonyms
  • yellow card

    the everyday term fans and commentators use; caution is the official term

  • booking

    informal British term for the referee writing the player's name in the book

Usage Note

Used in British football (soccer). In official match reports, "yellow card" is more common, but "caution" is the formal term in the Laws of the Game.

Idioms

throw/cast caution to the wind(s)

idiom

To decide to ignore possible dangers and do something risky.

Maya threw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel.

Did Diego cast caution to the wind when he invested all his savings?

caution — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to avoiding harm or error, but they differ in scope and formality. "Care" (A2) is the broadest — it simply means giving attention to what you do, whether physical (handling a glass with care) or mental (taking care over details). "Caution" (C1) adds the idea of avoiding potential danger or risk; you exercise caution when you expect something could go wrong. "Prudence" (C1) is more formal and relates to wise long-term judgment — a prudent person saves money and avoids risky investments. "Vigilance" (C2) means staying alert and watchful over time, often against a specific threat, like a security guard watching for intruders. In everyday speech, "take care" is the most natural instruction; "use caution" appears in official warnings; "prudence" fits financial or formal advice; and "vigilance" suits security and health contexts.

caution ↗care ↗prudencevigilance

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • as a caution
  • by way of caution

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Caution entered English through French in the 14th century, from the Latin word 'cautio,' meaning 'a taking care' or 'a precaution.' The Latin root 'cavere' means 'to be on guard' or 'to take heed.' The legal sense referring to a police warning developed in the 1800s, and the football (soccer) sense of a yellow-card penalty emerged in the late 20th century as the sport's formal disciplinary language.