ware

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noun

ˈwer 

1

a

: manufactured articles, products of art or craft, or farm produce : goods

—often used in combination

tinware

b

: an article of merchandise

2

: articles (such as pottery or dishes) of fired clay

earthenware

3

: an intangible item (such as a service or ability) that is a marketable commodity

ware

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adjective

1

: aware, conscious

was ware of black looks cast at me

—Mary Webb

2

archaic : wary, vigilant

ware

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verb (1)

wared; waring

transitive verb

: to beware of : avoid

—used chiefly as a command to hunting animals

ware

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verb (2)

wared; waring

transitive verb

Scotland

: spend, expend

Synonyms

Noun

• commodities
• goods
• merchandise

Adjective

• alive
• apprehensive
• aware
• cognizant
• conscious
• mindful
• sensible
• sentient
• witting

Verb (1)

• beware (of)
• guard (against)
• look out (for)
• mind
• watch out (for)

Examples of ware in a Sentence

Noun

She sold her wares at the market.

Adjective

he's ware of the dangers that await him in the Antarctic

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shop wares from local and regional artisans at the annual Made Around Here Market. —Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024

Xi nonetheless found plenty of ways to support the Russian war machine, sending semiconductors, unarmed drones, gunpowder, and other wares. —Matt Pottinger, Foreign Affairs, 10 Apr. 2024

Shop wares from local artisans, explore the brewery scene, and take a leisurely paddle on the lake. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024

With so many eyes glued to the tube all at once, advertisers shell out enormous sums to hawk their wares, while super star performers consider headlining the Halftime Show a career highlight. —Doug McIntyre, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

All items, including wares, haunted objects, taxidermy, and other collectibles will be sold. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

Counts isn’t here to shop, since her business model relies on finding much cheaper wares. —Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024

Bruce Newman, a New York antiques dealer once known as the Cecil B. DeMille of his profession for his outsized personality and extravagant wares, died on Feb. 9 at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. —Penelope Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024

Like many large international airports around the world, DXB offers everything from the chance to buy duty-free liquor and makeup to high-end designer wares, including Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, Tiffany & Co., and more. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2024

Verb

This means the best approach, according to officials, is taking multiple precautions—like staying up to date with vaccines and waring a well-fitting mask—to keep COVID at bay. —Chloe Taylor, Fortune Well, 4 Sep. 2023

Keiko Masumoto’s vessels best represent the beauty of the exhibition by combining the 12th century practice of Shigaraki ware with Pokémon — for example, Charizard pokes its limbs out of a traditional ceramic jar. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023

With this doll, Ariel can transform from mermaid tail to human waring a dress with just a push of a button (in her shell necklace). —Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 8 July 2023

According to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, the economy in the first quarter this year saw some $2.4 trillion in productive facilities and equipment either ware out or become obsolete. —Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 8 June 2021

Is the day coming when bowls ware a thing of the past? —San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English waru; akin to Middle High German ware ware and probably to Sanskrit vasna price — more at venal

Adjective

Middle English war, ware "cognizant, watchful, prudent," going back to Old English wær, going back to Germanic *wara- (whence Old Saxon war "aware, careful," Old High German gewar, Old Norse varr, Gothic wars), going back to Indo-European *u̯oro-, ablaut derivative of *u̯er- "observe, perceive," whence Latin verērī "to show reverence for, fear," Tocharian B wär-sk- "smell (transitive and intransitive)," Latvian vērties "to look, watch," vērot "to observe," and perhaps Greek horáō, horân "to look, see"

Note: Greek horáō, horân has alternatively been seen as an outcome of an Indo-European base *ser- "keep an eye on, protect."

Verb (1)

Middle English waren "to be mindful, be on guard," going back to Old English warian "to be wary, guard, protect," going back to Germanic *warōjan- (whence Old Saxon waron "to attend to, protect," Old High German biwarōn, Old Norse vara "to warn," varask "to be on one's guard"), derivative of *wara- "aware" — more at ware entry 2

Verb (2)

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse verja (past participle varithr, varthr to clothe, invest, spend) — more at wear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ware

• agate ware
• Canton ware
• Parian ware
• sanitary ware

Kids Definition

ware

noun

ˈwa(ə)r,

ˈwe(ə)r

1

a

: manufactured articles or products of art or craft : goods

—often used in combination

tinware

b

: an article of merchandise

peddlers hawking their wares

2

: items (as dishes) made from fired clay : pottery

earthenware