circumspect

[ sur-kuhm-spekt ]
See synonyms for circumspect on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent: circumspect behavior.

  2. well-considered: circumspect ambition.

Origin of circumspect

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin circumspectus (past participle of circumspicere “to look around”), equivalent to circum- “around, about” (see circum-) + spec(ere) “to look” + -tus past participle suffix

Other words for circumspect

Opposites for circumspect

Other words from circumspect

  • cir·cum·spect·ly, adverb
  • cir·cum·spect·ness, noun
  • non·cir·cum·spect, adjective
  • non·cir·cum·spect·ness, noun
  • o·ver·cir·cum·spect, adjective
  • un·cir·cum·spect, adjective
  • un·cir·cum·spect·ness, noun

Words Nearby circumspect

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How to use circumspect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for circumspect

circumspect

/ (ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt) /


adjective
  1. cautious, prudent, or discreet

Origin of circumspect

1
C15: from Latin circumspectus, from circum- + specere to look

Derived forms of circumspect

  • circumspection, noun
  • circumspective, adjective
  • circumspectly, adverb

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