Standard Lemma guide

precautionary

adj · noun · 3 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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  • CMU ARPABET: P R IH0 K AO1 SH AH0 N EH0 R IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The port cities were quarantined as a precautionary measure, though no cases of the disease had been found.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A precaution.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • gave precautionary advice
  • I would take precautionary steps to keep him away

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: precautional

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English precaution Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusder. Middle English -arie English -ary English precautionary From precaution + -ary.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: предпазен (predpazen) — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • French: précautionneux — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • German: vorsorglich — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • Italian: cautelare — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • Italian: precauzionale — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • Portuguese: precaucionário — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution
  • Spanish: precautorio — of, pertaining to, or serving as a precaution