Meaning & use
cautious personality
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A usual way of behaving in which someone is careful, avoids risk, and thinks before acting.
Grammar: Often used with 'a' or 'his/her/their': She has a cautious personality.
Patterns
- have a cautious personality
- a cautious personality type
- someone with a cautious personality
He has a cautious personality, so he reads every contract twice before signing.
Her cautious personality makes her a safe driver but a slow decision-maker.
People with a cautious personality often avoid new situations until they feel prepared.
nouncountablefigurative
A pattern of careful, risk-avoiding behavior seen in a group, animal, or character.
Grammar: Can be used for animals or fictional characters, not only people: The fox's cautious personality.
Patterns
- the cautious personality of something
- show a cautious personality
The novel gives the detective a cautious personality that keeps him alive.
Researchers noted the cautious personality of the birds around busy roads.
Word forms
| plural | cautious personalities |
|---|
Common combinations
- a cautious personality type
- In the test, she was classed as a cautious personality type.
- have a cautious personality
- Many accountants seem to have a cautious personality.
- a naturally cautious personality
- He has a naturally cautious personality and never gambles.
- a cautious personality trait
- Patience is a cautious personality trait that helps in exams.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cautious disposition
- More formal and slightly more psychological than 'cautious personality'.
- wariness
- Focuses on the feeling of distrust or alertness, not the whole personality.
- prudence
- Suggests good judgment about risk rather than just a careful nature.
Opposites
Word family
- cautious adjective
- Careful to avoid danger or mistakes.
- cautiously adverb
- In a careful way that avoids risk.
- caution noun
- Great care taken to avoid danger or mistakes.
- cautiousness noun
- The quality of being careful and avoiding risk.
Commonly confused: cautious personality or conscious personality?
cautious personality vs conscious personality
'Conscious' means awake or aware; 'cautious' means careful. They sound a little similar but mean very different things.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cautious personality' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A cautious personality involves checking and preparing, so checking the weather fits. Option 2 describes forgetfulness, option 3 describes the opposite (no planning), and option 4 makes no sense because personality traits are not switched off during sleep.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cautious personality”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.