How to Pronounce "cautionary tale"
expression
ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/ /ˈteɪɫ
KAW-shuh-NAIR-ee tayl
kˈɔːʃənəɹi/ /tˈeɪl
KAW-shuh-nuh-ree tayl
Definition
A story told to warn people about potential dangers or to teach a lesson by showing the negative results of someone’s actions.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈkɔʃəˌnɛɹi/ /ˈteɪɫ
British English
kˈɔːʃənəɹi/ /tˈeɪl
Simplified Pronunciation
US
KAW-shuh-NAIR-ee tayl
UK
KAW-shuh-nuh-ree tayl
Listen in Context
The story of the boy who cried wolf is a cautionary tale.
She told us a cautionary tale about driving too fast.
Many fairy tales are actually cautionary tales for children.
That email scam story is a real cautionary tale—don’t click on suspicious links!