caveat

A condition or exception that limits what someone says, offers, or agrees to.

• I accepted the offer with one caveat.
• She agreed, with the caveat that expenses would be paid.
• The rule applies everywhere, subject to a few caveats.

How to use it: with the caveat that… (I agreed with the caveat that we finish by six.)

Similar words: condition, qualification, exception

Common phrases: with a caveat, one caveat, subject to caveat

A warning about a possible problem, or a formal statement against something.

• The report includes an important caveat.
• He raised a caveat about the reliability of the test.
• Several caveats warned readers against trusting the early results.

How to use it: caveat about something (She raised a caveat about the accuracy of the figures.)

Similar words: warning, objection

Common phrases: serious caveat, raise a caveat, important caveat

A legal notice asking a court to delay a case or decision.

• Her lawyer filed a caveat.
• The caveat delayed the court proceedings.
• They lodged a probate caveat while investigating the will.

Common phrases: file a caveat, lodge a caveat, probate caveat