cautionary
/'kɔ:ʃnəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
The teacher told a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing near the road.
Definition
- Adjective:
- Serving as a warning; intended to warn: Describes something that conveys a warning or is meant to alert someone to potential danger, problems, or consequences.
- Giving or containing advice about potential danger or error: Describes a statement, tale, or measure that is advisory in nature, aiming to prevent negative outcomes.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed. (It serves as a warning example.)
- The government issued a cautionary statement to travelers about the political unrest. (The statement was intended to warn them.)
- He offered some cautionary advice before we started the risky venture. (The advice was meant to warn us.)
Advanced Usage
- "cautionary note": A warning remark or piece of advice, often added to a discussion to highlight risks.
- The report ended on a cautionary note, urging further research before implementation.
- "cautionary measure": An action taken to prevent a possible problem or danger.
- Wearing a helmet is a sensible cautionary measure when cycling.
Variants and Related Words
- Caution (n/v): The noun form meaning "care taken to avoid danger or mistakes" or the verb meaning "to warn."
- She advised caution on the icy roads. (n)
- The sign cautions drivers about the sharp curve ahead. (v)
- Cautious (adj): Describes a person or action showing care to avoid potential problems or dangers.
- He is a very cautious investor.
Synonyms
- Admonitory: Expressing warning or disapproval.
- Warning: Serving to make someone aware of a danger or problem.
- Monitory: Giving or serving as a warning (formal).
- Preventive: Designed to prevent something undesirable.
Related Phrases
- A cautionary word: A word or short piece of advice meant to warn.
- Let me add a cautionary word: this method has not been fully tested.
- Tale/story: Often paired with "cautionary" to describe a narrative that illustrates the negative consequences of certain actions.
- The film is a modern cautionary tale about social media addiction.
Related Idioms
- Let that be a caution to you: An expression used to tell someone that a past negative example should serve as their warning.
- He lost all his money in that scheme—let that be a caution to you.
The teacher told a cautionary tale about the dangers of playing near the road.
Adjective
- serving to warn
- shook a monitory finger at him
- an exemplary jail sentence
- warding off
- the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples- Victor Schultze