Definition

1. 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.

Adjective

1. serving to warn
   • shook a monitory finger at him
   • an exemplary jail sentence
2. warding off
   • the swastika...a very ancient prophylactic symbol occurring among all peoples- Victor Schultze