care and caution share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. care means “the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something”. caution means “the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger”. care is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɛɹ/
1.n.the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
“no medical care was required”
2.n.judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger
“he exercised caution in opening the door”
3.n.an anxious feeling
“care had aged him”
/ˈkɑʃən/
1.n.the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
“a man of caution”
2.n.a warning against certain acts
“a caveat against unfair practices”
3.n.judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger
“he exercised caution in opening the door”
| care | caution | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɛɹ/ | /ˈkɑʃən/ |
| Said | ker | KAH-shuhn |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| Letters | 4 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 11 | 5 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | attention, aid, tending | cautiousness, carefulness |
Full entry for care · Full entry for caution · More comparisons