Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

beware

verb be·ware \ bi-ˈwer , bē- \
|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of beware

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

See beware defined for English-language learners

See beware defined for kids

Examples of beware in a Sentence

  1. A ghostly voice cried “Beware!”.

  2. He told them to beware.

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

Recent Examples of beware from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beware.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of beware

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

BEWARE Defined for English Language Learners

beware

verb

Definition of beware for English Language Learners

  • : to be careful : to act in a way that shows you know that there may be danger or trouble

BEWARE Defined for Kids

beware

verb be·ware \ bi-ˈwer \

Definition of beware for Students

: to be cautious or careful
  • beware of the dog
  • He told them to beware.
Hint: Beware is used only in the forms beware or to beware.

Learn More about beware

  1. See words that rhyme with beware Spanish Central: Translation of beware Nglish: Translation of beware for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of beware for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up beware? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

jabberwocky

play

meaningless speech or writing

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  2. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  3. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  4. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

  5. suborn 'to induce to commit perjury'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

beware

Test Your Vocabulary

Name More Food!

  • red-fruit
  • Name that Fruit!
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games