noun
caveat
KAY-vee-at/ˈkæviæt/
A warning about a condition or limitation.
The ladder’s load-limit tag adds a caveat to its safe use.
Etymology
A form of “to beware” meaning “let him beware” became a noun for a warning. An attached condition or limitation similarly tells someone to proceed with caution.
In context
there's a caveat even though he's currently doing better than hillary clinton that is assuming nothing changes between now and november 3rd
More examples
- The report includes a caveat about the small sample.
- He offered advice with the caveat that conditions might change.
- A final caveat warned readers against comparing the figures directly.
Forms
caveat · caveats
Similar words
- qualification
- A qualification limits a statement; a caveat warns readers or listeners about that limitation.
- proviso
- A proviso sets a condition; a caveat can be a caution without a binding condition.