Phrase guide

abundance of caution

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Caution used to justify preemptive measures that are likely not strictly necessary.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • out of an abundance of caution
  • Although the minister is in good health, he has been hospitalized today out of an abundance of caution.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Calque of Latin abundans cautela. See also the direct borrowing ex abundante cautela.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: varmuuden vuoksi — preemptive caution
  • French: par acquit de conscience — preemptive caution
  • Hungarian: óvatosságból — preemptive caution
  • Hungarian: elővigyázatosságból — preemptive caution
  • Hungarian: óvintézkedésként — preemptive caution
  • Korean: 노파심 (nopasim) — preemptive caution
  • Polish: duża ostrożność — preemptive caution