English pronunciation · Words Starting with C

Cautiously Pronunciation

Cautiously is pronounced KAW-shuh-slee, IPA /ˈkɔʃəsli/.

KAW-shuh-slee

US /ˈkɔʃəsli/  ·  UK /ˈkɔːʃəsli/

Syllables: KAW · shuh · slee (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)

adverb: In a careful way, with an eye on what might go wrong.

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Cautiously in a Sentence

  • He opened the door cautiously.
  • The report is cautiously optimistic.
  • She moved cautiously across the ice.

Common Mispronunciations of Cautiously

Not kaw-shuhs-LEE

The opening KAW carries the whole beat and the three syllables after it tumble out quietly.

Not KOW-shuhs-lee

The au pair gives the aw of law, not the ow of cow. Caution, author, and haunt share that vowel.

Tip: The ti in the middle is a sh sound, so the word runs KAW-shuh-slee with no clear t anywhere.

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