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cautious

adjective/ˈkɔʃəs/

definition

careful to avoid some problems or danger

example

Some governments were criticised because they lacked a cautious approach to eliminate the risks of the virus to spread in their countries.

synonyms
carefulvigilantguarded
word origin — mid 17th century: from caution, on the pattern of pairs such as ambition, ambitious

Upper-Intermediate — Set 81

Set 81 of Upper-Intermediate covers 5 words: cautious, moody, sensitive, envious, trustworthy. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. cautious · adjective/ˈkɔʃəs/

    careful to avoid some problems or danger

    Some governments were criticised because they lacked a cautious approach to eliminate the risks of the virus to spread in their countries.

    Synonyms: careful, vigilant, guarded

    Origin: mid 17th century: from caution, on the pattern of pairs such as ambition, ambitious

  2. moody · adjective/ˈmudi/

    a changing feeling from a good one to the bad one really quickly

    Because the teenagers' brain change really quickly, they become moody and they think they are not understood by adults.

    Synonyms: temperamental, changeable

    Origin: Old English mōdig ‘brave or willful’ (see mood, -y)

  3. sensitive · adjective/ˈsɛnsədɪv/

    for people who are easily hurt by other people's comments, for things that are easily destroyed by something

    Some people are really sensitive about their weight and they cannot stand any comments that are made about it.

    Synonyms: delicate, emotional, touchy

    Origin: late Middle English (in the sense ‘sensory’): from Old French sensitif, -ive or medieval Latin sensitivus, formed irregularly from Latin sentire ‘feel’. The current senses date from the early 19th century

  4. envious · adjective/ˈɛnviəs/

    desiring something that another person has

    Allowing envious feelings towards your colleague could be really bad for your career as it hinders your efficiency at work.

    Synonyms: jealous

    Origin: Middle English: from Old French envieus, from envie ‘envy’, on the pattern of Latin invidiosus ‘invidious’

  5. trustworthy · adjective/ˈtrəs(t)ˌwərði/

    can be trusted or relied on

    It is always a good idea to leave a spare key to a trustworthy neighbour in case of an emergency that can happen in the house when you are away.

    Synonyms: reliable, dependable, truthful