[n] people who are fearful and cautious; "whitewater rafting is not for the timid"
[adj] unwilling to take risks
[adj] cautious in attitude and careful in actions; prudent; "a cautious answer"; "very cautious about believing everything she was told"
[adj] showing careful forethought; "reserved and cautious; never making swift decisions"; "a cautious driver"
[adj] avoiding excess; "a conservative estimate"
Synonyms
cagey, cagy, careful, chary, conservative, dilatory, fabian, gingerly, guarded, moderate, overcautious, restrained, timid, unadventurous
Misc. Definitions
\Cau"tious\, a. [Cf. L. cautus, fr. caver. See {Caution}.] Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general. Cautious feeling for another's pain. --Byron. Be swift to hear; but cautious of your tongue. --Watts. Syn: Wary; watchful; vigilant; prudent; circumspect; discreet; heedful; thoughtful; scrupulous; anxious; careful. Usage: {Cautious}, {Wary}, {Circumspect}. A man is cautious who realizes the constant possibility of danger; one may be wary, and yet bold and active; a man who is circumspect habitually examines things on every side in order to weigh and deliberate. It is necessary to be cautious at all times; to be wary in cases of extraordinary danger; to be circumspect in matters of peculiar delicacy and difficulty.