wary
WEH-uh-ree
Wary (adj) means Cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems. Example: “Be wary of emails asking for your bank details.”
adj
1
Cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems.
"Be wary of emails asking for your bank details."
"The cat stayed wary of the newcomer for weeks."
How to use wary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn your guard; cautious because you suspect something might be wrong or risky.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with weary (tired) — wary means cautious, not exhausted.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wary of
grow wary
remain wary
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- waries
- Past tense
- waried
- Comparative
- warier
- Superlative
- wariest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be _____ of emails asking for your bank details.
Etymology
From the adjective ware ("aware, cautious") plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wary
See all rhymes for wary →Frequently asked questions
What does “wary” mean?
The word “wary” means cautious and alert to possible danger, deception, or problems. In plain terms, on your guard; cautious because you suspect something might be wrong or risky.
How do you pronounce “wary”?
“Wary” is pronounced WEH-uh-ree (/ˈwɛɚ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “wary” in a sentence?
Here is “wary” used in a sentence: “Be wary of emails asking for your bank details.”
What is another word for “wary”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wary” include cautious, guarded, careful and chary.
What part of speech is “wary”?
“Wary” is an adjective.
Is “wary” a common word?
“Wary” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between wary and cautious?
Wary emphasizes a heightened alertness to potential danger, deception, or problems, often based on suspicion of a specific person or situation. Cautious is broader and can simply describe careful behavior without implying distrust.
What preposition follows wary, wary of or wary about?
Wary is most commonly followed by "of," as in "wary of strangers" or "wary of the deal." "Wary about" also appears in usage but is less frequent than "wary of."
Is wary a formal word?
Wary is a standard, everyday adjective suitable for both formal and informal writing. It carries no particular register restriction and is common in news, conversation, and academic text alike.
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