beware

verb

be·​ware bi-ˈwer 

bē-

intransitive verb

: to be on one's guard

beware of the dog

transitive verb

1

: to take care of

beware your wallet

2

: to be wary of

we must … beware the exceedingly tenuous generalization

—Matthew Lipman

Synonyms

• guard (against)
• look out (for)
• mind
• ware
• watch out (for)

Examples of beware in a Sentence

A ghostly voice cried “Beware!”.

He told them to beware.

The restaurant's food is excellent, but beware the chili if you don't like spicy food.

Recent Examples on the Web

Police recommend that adult children and caregivers advise elderly residents, who appear to be the targets of these crimes, to beware of the scam. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Some of these tournaments are charging admission, so beware (Mission Viejo is charging $10). —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Recently, the garrulous Leon Trotsky has told the world to beware of a new Russian death ray. —Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 25 June 2024

Separately, Seoul’s city government sent text messages telling citizens to beware of any falling object as the balloons were flying above the capital, an hour’s drive from the border. —Hyung-Jin Kim, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English been war, from been "to be" + war "cognizant, ware entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

beware

verb

be·​ware bi-ˈwa(ə)r 

-ˈwe(ə)r

1

: to be on one's guard

beware of the dog

2

: to be suspicious of

beware the quick excuse