Definition

Serving as a warning or advice to be careful about something.

Example

The teacher shared a cautionary story to help students understand the importance of studying.

Conversation

Did you hear that story about the hiker who got lost in the mountains?

Yeah, I read it online — it’s a pretty cautionary tale.

Exactly! It really makes you think about safety when exploring nature.

For sure, we should always take cautionary advice seriously before heading out.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Cautionary → It is formed from "caution" (from Latin "cautio", meaning care or precaution) and the suffix "-ary" (meaning pertaining to or relating to). The word "cautionary" refers to something that serves to warn or advise against potential dangers or risks.

Memory Tip

Think of 'caution' as a reminder to be careful, and '-ary' means relating to. So, a cautionary message is one that relates to being careful.

Visually Confused Words