wary

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈwɛəri/ 🇺🇸 /ˈwɛriː/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems; watchful and alert to potential threats or difficulties.; Characterized by keen caution and circumspection; prudent and careful in one's actions or decisions.; On one's guard; alert and watchful, especially in a situation perceived as potentially dangerous or deceptive.; Archaic: shrewd, cunning, or crafty in character or behavior.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: warier, more wary Superlative: wariest, most wary

Collocations

wary ofbe wary ofgrow warybecome waryremain wary

Derivatives

warilywarinessunwary

Synonyms

cautiouscarefulwatchfulguardedsuspiciouscircumspect

Antonyms

unwarycarelessrecklesstrusting

Commonly confused

weary
EN: 'Weary' means tired or exhausted; 'wary' means cautious or watchful.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'wary' (cautious) with 'weary' (tired). Note the different vowel: 'a' in wary, 'ea' in weary.

💬 Examples

  1. She was wary of strangers who approached her on the street.

  2. The investors were wary of putting money into the unproven startup.

  3. The deer stood wary at the edge of the forest, ears twitching at every sound.

  4. The wary old fox outsmarted the hunters once again.