From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcautiouscau‧tious /ˈkɔːʃəs $ ˈkɒː-/ ●●○ adjective CAREFULcareful to avoid danger or risks → caution a cautious driver a cautious approach to the crisis The air-pollution board has reacted with cautious optimism to the announcement.cautious about (doing) something Keller is cautious about making predictions for the success of the program. —cautiousness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
cautious• I went back on the singles circuit even though the break with Vic should have made me cautious.• Employers who establish retirement plans must be cautious about engaging in transactions with their plans.• I've always been cautious about giving people my phone number.• The fluctuations in the federal unemployment rates for the states keep local economists cautious about relying on them.• It pays to be cautious at first and increase the groundbait amount if things go well.• Overnight Riley Hanson had become a cautious braggart.• Phil's a very cautious driver - it'll take at least an hour to get there.• Again, if the cost is substantial, be cautious of committing more than a few months in advance.• He also showed cautious sympathy for homosexuals.• If we're too cautious, we might lose a good business opportunity.• Bucket shops with more to hide are often more cautious when it comes to recruitment.cautious optimism• There are grounds for cautious optimism.• This year 184 dealers took part compared to 176 in 1992 and a number of participants expressed cautious optimism.• None the less, there is cautious optimism at the dawning of a new age.• There was cautious optimism from ISPs after the announcement was made public yesterday.• A cautious optimism spread within the liberal intelligentsia, and the writers, especially, initiated calls for greater artistic freedom.• Both sides have expressed cautious optimism that an agreement will soon be reached.From Longman Business Dictionarycautiouscau‧tious /ˈkɔːʃəsˈkɒː-/ adjective if buyers or investors are cautious, they are unwilling to buy because they feel uncertain about the futureSeoul investors turned cautious about the market’s rapid rises last week, and share prices ended lower. 