Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cautionary tale
Noun
/ˈkɔːʃənəri teɪl/
Definition
A story intended to warn the reader or listener about a potential danger or mistake.
Examples
- The story of Icarus is a classic cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris.
- In her book, she shares several cautionary tales from her life to help others learn from her mistakes.
Meaning
Cautionary tales serve to highlight the consequences of certain actions, often aiming to educate or alert others to avoid similar pitfalls.
Synonyms
- warning story
- admonitory tale
- exemplary tale
- morality tale
