French word

précaution

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁekosjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounprecaution

Example

Il faut prendre des précautions en cuisinant.

Precautions must be taken while cooking.

Illustration for précaution (precaution)

More examples

Elle conduit avec précaution sur la route verglacée.

She drives with caution on the icy road.

Core concept

A hand checking a loose step and placing a barrier before anyone reaches it.

Common phrases

  • agir avec précaution

    act with caution

Similar words

attention: Careful attention to potential danger or changing conditions.
prudence: Careful, restrained behavior intended to avoid risk.
mesure: A concrete measure adopted to deal with a possible problem.
prévention: Planned efforts made before trouble or illness arises.

Definition in French

Action ou mesure prise à l'avance pour éviter un danger, un risque ou un problème.

Word origin

Précaution comes from Latin praecautio, formed from prae, 'before', and cautio, 'care or warning'.

Usage tips

  • Précaution is feminine, so the forms are une précaution and des précautions.

Other meanings

  • cautionnoun

Opposites

  • négligencenegligencenoun

Word lists with this word