Caveat
noun /ˈkæv.i.æt/ — A warning or qualification; a condition that must be noticed
Definition
A warning or qualification attached to a statement — a condition, exception, or qualification that modifies the broader claim. 'With one caveat' means: mostly true, but this important qualification changes the picture.
Beyond the definition
Caveat is the word for intellectual honesty — the acknowledgment that the simple version isn't quite right. Every caveat is a small act of precision: the writer or speaker choosing accuracy over simplicity.
Origin & history
Latin: cavere (to beware, to take heed). The subjunctive 'let a person beware'. In law: a formal notice filed to warn or suspend an action pending a claim.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The plan is excellent — with one major caveat: it assumes the market doesn't change.
She agreed to the terms, with the caveat that the timeline could be renegotiated.
Caveats aren't weakness. They're the mark of someone who has thought carefully about the edges.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Caveat” when the meaning fits your context: A warning or qualification attached to a statement — a condition, exception, or qualification that modifies the broader claim. 'With one caveat' means: mostly true, but this important qualification changes the picture.
Synonyms
warning, qualification, condition, proviso
Antonyms
blanket statement, unqualified claim
Related words
Caveat vs warning
A warning is an alert about impending danger. A caveat is a specific, formal qualification or limitation attached to a statement or agreement to clarify potential exceptions.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Team Leader Reviewing Model
An experienced team leader reviews a map and architectural model with two attentive colleagues at a table.
The leader’s review includes considerations of limitations and conditions. A caveat is this essential qualification or warning attached to a broader claim, modifying the picture by adding a crucial exception that must be understood.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Caveat" mean?
Caveat is noun meaning: A warning or qualification; a condition that must be noticed. A warning or qualification attached to a statement — a condition, exception, or qualification that modifies the broader claim. 'With one caveat' means: mostly true, but this important qualification changes the picture.
Where does the word "Caveat" come from?
Latin: cavere (to beware, to take heed). The subjunctive 'let a person beware'. In law: a formal notice filed to warn or suspend an action pending a claim.