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circumspect

Adjective

IPA /ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt/

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Meaning in plain English

Careful about what you say or do because you have considered possible risks and want to avoid an unnecessary mistake.

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Pronunciation

circumspect/ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt/

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Follow the idea

A sensitive question
Consider the consequences first

A circumspect speaker thinks about the risks before answering.

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Examples in context

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She was circumspect about sharing personal details with someone she had just met.
The researcher gave a circumspect reply while the results were still being checked.

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She was ________ about sharing personal details with someone she had just met.

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circumspect — Careful about what you say or do because you have considered possible risks and want to avoid an unnecessary mistake.

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Careful about what you say or do because you have considered possible risks and want to avoid an unnecessary mistake.

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Word origin

From Latin circumspectus, related to elements meaning around and to look.

Did you know?

Circumspection is the noun; circumspectly is the adverb.

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