- cautious, prudent, or discreet
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
cir•cum•spect /ˈsɜrkəmˌspɛkt/USA pronunciation
adj.
cir•cum•spect•ly, adv. See -spec-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- watchful and careful; avoiding risks: circumspect behavior.
cir•cum•spect•ly, adv. See -spec-.
cir•cum•spect
(sûr′kəm spekt′),USA pronunciation adj.
cir′cum•spect′ly, adv.
cir′cum•spect′ness, n.
- watchful and discreet;
cautious;
prudent:circumspect behavior. - well-considered:circumspect ambition.
- Latin circumspectus (past participle of circumspicere to look around), equivalent. to circum- circum- + spec(ere) to look + -tus past participle suffix
- late Middle English 1375–1425
cir′cum•spect′ness, n.
- 1. careful, vigilant, guarded.
- 1. careless, indiscreet.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
circumspect /ˈsɜːkəmˌspɛkt/ adj
'circumspect' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Fabian
- prudent
- careful
- cautious
- chary
- circumspection
- circumspective
- deliberate
- discreet
- guarded
- wary
- watchful
- scrupulous