The caveat meaning is a warning, condition or limit that you add to something you say, so the listener does not take it too far. "The plan looks good, with one caveat: we have not checked the cost yet." The caveat is the part after the colon.
It is a Latin word meaning "let him beware", and it is common in work emails, reports, reviews and legal papers. In law it also has a precise technical sense: a formal notice asking a court not to act without first hearing you.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A warning or condition that limits a statementPart of speech
Noun (plural caveats)Pronunciation
KAV-ee-at; also KAH-vee-ahtOrigin
Latin caveat, let him beware, from cavere, to take careFamous phrase
caveat emptor, let the buyer bewareClose words
warning, condition, proviso, qualification, disclaimerRegister
Formal to neutral; very common at work
What does caveat mean?
A caveat does two jobs. It warns ("be careful about this") and it limits ("this is true only under these conditions"). When someone gives you a caveat, they are being careful not to promise more than they can.
People often attach caveats to advice, results and recommendations:
- "This route is faster, with the caveat that there is no parking near the station."
- "The results are promising. The main caveat is that only 30 people took part."
If you need to define caveat quickly, here is a plain definition of caveat: a short note of caution that qualifies what came before it.
How to use caveat in a sentence
The most common patterns are with one caveat, with the caveat that, one caveat is, add a caveat and an important caveat. You add or include a caveat; you can also issue one in formal writing.
- I'll recommend him for the job, with one caveat: he needs help with deadlines.
- The doctor said I could start running again, with the caveat that I stop if the knee hurts.
- Every investment brochure ends with a page of caveats in tiny print.
- My review of the cafe is glowing, apart from one caveat about the noise.
A friend asks if your old laptop is worth buying. You say it is fast and in good shape, but the battery lasts only an hour away from the charger.
That last point is a caveat. You are not saying no; you are making sure your friend knows the limit before deciding.
Caveat emptor and other Latin relatives
The best known phrase is caveat emptor, "let the buyer beware". It is the old principle that a buyer must check goods before buying, because the seller is not expected to point out every fault. Modern consumer protection laws in many countries now give buyers more rights, but the phrase is still used as a general reminder to look carefully before you pay. Less common relatives include caveat venditor, let the seller beware.
Checking things carefully before a deal is also called due diligence.
Caveat meaning in law
In legal use, a caveat is a formal notice filed with a court or registry. Its message is: do not take a certain step without telling me first.
- In India, Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure lets a person who expects a case or application against them lodge a caveat. The court must then give them notice and a chance to be heard before passing orders. The caveat stays in force for 90 days from the date it is lodged.
- In wills and estates, in several countries, a caveat can be entered to stop a will being approved until a dispute is looked at.
- In property, some land registries let a person lodge a caveat to warn of a claim on the land.
Caveat compared with close words
| Word | Main sense |
|---|---|
| caveat | A cautionary limit on a claim or deal |
| condition | Something that must be true or done first |
| proviso | A term set inside a contract that must be met |
| disclaimer | A statement denying responsibility |
| provision | A clause or term in a law or contract |
Caveat is the most conversational of these at work. A disclaimer pushes away blame, while a caveat simply flags a limit. You might also use words like albeit or describe a claim as contingent on something to do a similar job inside one sentence.
Origin and pronunciation
Caveat is a Latin verb form meaning "let him beware" or "let one take care", from cavere, to guard against. English picked it up in the 1550s as a warning, and the legal sense of a formal notice shows up by the 1650s. The phrase caveat emptor appears even earlier in English, in the 1520s.
Most Americans say KAV-ee-at; many British speakers say KAV-ee-at or KAY-vee-at, and some use the Latin-style KAH-vee-aht. All are understood. Similar office words, from albeit to proviso, are gathered under everyday vocabulary, which lists dozens of such words.
Frequently asked questions
What is a caveat in simple words?
A caveat is a warning or condition you add so someone does not misunderstand or rely too much on what you said. "Yes, but" is the everyday version.
Is a caveat negative?
Not really. It points out a limit or risk, but it is often a sign of honesty and care rather than criticism.
What does caveat emptor mean?
It is Latin for "let the buyer beware". It means buyers should check what they are buying, because the seller may not point out problems.
What is the plural of caveat?
The plural is caveats. For example: "The report lists three caveats about the data."
Can caveat be used as a verb?
Some people in business say "let me caveat that", meaning add a warning. It is heard in offices but many style guides still treat caveat as a noun only.
What is a caveat petition in India?
It is a notice filed in a civil court by someone who expects a case or application to be filed against them. It asks the court to hear them before making an order, and it lasts 90 days.