What does cautionary tale mean?
Definitions for cautionary tale
cau·tion·a·ry tale
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word cautionary tale.
Wiktionary
cautionary talenoun
A story told in folklore to warn its hearer of a certain danger.
Wikipedia
Cautionary tale
A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore to warn its listener of a danger. There are three essential parts to a cautionary tale, though they can be introduced in a large variety of ways. First, a taboo or prohibition is stated: some act, location, or thing is said to be dangerous. Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act. Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.
Wikidata
Cautionary tale
A cautionary tale is a tale told in folklore, to warn its hearer of a danger. There are three essential parts to a cautionary tale, though they can be introduced in a large variety of ways. First, a taboo or prohibition is stated: some act, location, or thing is said to be dangerous. Then, the narrative itself is told: someone disregarded the warning and performed the forbidden act. Finally, the violator comes to an unpleasant fate, which is frequently related in expansive and grisly detail.
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of cautionary tale in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of cautionary tale in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of cautionary tale in a Sentence
He should just let it go, what’s done is done. He’s still going to be a very rich man. It’s a cautionary tale for everyone.
Connecticut State Senator Will Haskell:
To some extent, Westport is a cautionary tale, or a harbinger of what's to come, i hope the 168 other towns in Connecticut State see what happens in Westport and act accordingly.
It’s a cautionary tale for Democrats and the anti-Trump wing of the Republican Party, many of whom are celebrating his relatively low energy announcement speech last night, a wounded Donald Trump is an even more dangerous Donald Trump for his GOP rivals and even President Biden.
This should never have happened, this is a cautionary tale.
Kylee’s story is unique as a cautionary tale— as the athlete who says they’re better, but they’re not.
Translations for cautionary tale
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- warnendes BeispielGerman
- cuento con moralejaSpanish
- récit édifiantFrench
- kisah peringatanIndonesian
- 訓話Japanese
- 주의 이야기Korean
- advarende historieNorwegian
- conto preventivoPortuguese
- எச்சரிக்கை கதைTamil
- câu chuyện cảnh báoVietnamese
- 警示Chinese
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"cautionary tale." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 23 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/cautionary+tale>.
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