beware

verb

be·​ware bi-ˈwer How to pronounce beware (audio)
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 generalizationMatthew Lipman

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Afterwards, walk through the dazzling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, pausing to admire the glass dome and beautiful mosaic floors (but beware of pickpockets). Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 3 Oct. 2025 But beware of this alien’s feisty side when tapping his nose or belly twice. Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 And beware, there are more spoilers in here than there are strands in DiCaprio’s ponytail. Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025 Yet Washington should beware the consequences of such an arrangement. Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beware

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of beware was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beware. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

beware

verb
be·​ware bi-ˈwa(ə)r How to pronounce beware (audio)
-ˈwe(ə)r
1
: to be on one's guard
beware of the dog
2
: to be suspicious of
beware the quick excuse

More from Merriam-Webster on beware

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