DictionaryAI

wary

SayWAIR-eeUS/ˈwɛɚ.i/UK/ˈwɛə.ɹi/AUS/ˈweːɹi/

Adjectivewarier, wariest

Verbwaries, warying, waried

Often confused with weary

4 meanings of wary

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Careful because you think something might be dangerous or a trick.

    My cat is wary of strangers.

    Be wary of emails that ask for your password.

    Similarcareful, circumspect

    Oppositetrusting, unsuspecting, unwary

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Done in a careful way, ready for trouble.

    She gave the stranger a wary look.

    He took a few wary steps onto the frozen pond.

    Similarguarded, cautious, careful, watchful, suspicious

    Oppositeunguarded, careless, trusting

  3. 3
    verbdialectaltransitive
    To curse someone or shout angry, insulting words at them.

    He waried the driver who splashed mud on him.

    The old shepherd would wary the fox in loud, angry words every time it took a lamb.

    Similarcurse

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    adjective
    thrifty, provident

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of wary apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2

Made from the adjective ware + -y.

Meaning 3

From an Old English word meaning "to curse".