cautious

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: timidconservative

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. people who are fearful and cautious“whitewater rafting is not for the timid”Synonyms: timid

Adjective (2)

  1. showing careful forethought“reserved and cautious; never making swift decisions”“a cautious driver”
  2. avoiding excess“a conservative estimate”Synonyms: conservative
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Cautious \Cau"tious\, a. [Cf. L. cautus, fr. caver. See Caution.] Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general. [1913 Webster]

Cautious feeling for another's pain. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

Be swift to hear; but cautious of your tongue. --Watts.

Syn: Wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent; circumspect; discreet; heedful; thoughtful; scrupulous; anxious; careful.

Usage: Cautious, Wary, Circumspect. A man is cautious who realizes the constant possibility of danger; one may be wary, and yet bold and active; a man who is circumspect habitually examines things on every side in order to weigh and deliberate. It is necessary to be cautious at all times; to be wary in cases of extraordinary danger; to be circumspect in matters of peculiar delicacy and difficulty. [1913 Webster]

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