noun

caveat

/kəˈviːæt/ · say it: kuh·VEE·aht

a warning or qualification

In more detail

1. (noun) a warning or condition that limits what is being said; something you need to know about in order to understand something correctly

2. (noun) a legal warning or notice

Examples

1. The doctor's caveat was that the treatment might not work for everyone.
2. The contract included a caveat emptor clause, meaning buyer beware.

How to use caveat

Caveat is used to indicate a limitation, qualification, or warning that must be considered when interpreting a statement or claim. It is more formal and precise than 'warning' or 'caution', appearing frequently in academic, legal, and professional contexts. The phrase 'with the caveat that' is particularly common when you want to make a statement that requires a qualification.

Common phrases

with the caveat that
an important caveat
caveat emptor
subject to a caveat
add a caveat

Synonyms

warning · caution · qualification · proviso · condition

Word family

caveated (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'caveat' as a verb (e.g., 'I caveat my opinion') when the standard usage is the adjective 'caveated' or the noun phrase 'with the caveat that'.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD