Cautiously

Cautiously is an adverb that describes an action performed with care to avoid danger, risk, or error. It often modifies verbs related to movement, decision, inspection, or experimentation, signaling prudence rather than haste.

In everyday usage, cautiously conveys awareness of potential harm or uncertainty. It can suggest hesitancy or deliberate caution. It is common in safety-related contexts and in phrases such as cautiously optimistic, where a positive conclusion is weighed with prudence.

Etymology: Cautious derives from Latin cautus, meaning guarded or wary, via Old French cautieux, with the English adverb formed by adding the standard suffix -ly to the adjective cautious.

Examples: She moved cautiously across the icy floor. The investigators proceeded cautiously, avoiding premature conclusions. The company released information cautiously to manage expectations.

See also: careful, prudence, wary.