# cautionary

/ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/ (US) · /kˈɔːʃənəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cautionary
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

describing a warning that tells you to be careful or to avoid a mistake. You use this to describe a story or a piece of advice that is meant to teach you a lesson.

For teachers: serving as a warning or a lesson to be careful. Often used to describe a narrative or statement intended to prevent future errors.

## Examples

- The story has a cautionary ending.
- The report provides a cautionary tale about the risks of ignoring early signs of financial instability.
- The author's cautionary tone suggests that while the initial success of the project was impressive, the long-term consequences were far more complex than the public realized.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.