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

• merchandise
• goods
• commodities

Adjective

• aware

Verb (1)

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

Examples of ware in a Sentence

Noun

She sold her wares at the market.

a hunter yelling to his dog, "Ware the porcupine!"

Adjective

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every country with an arms industry exported its wares. —Clifton Crais, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Pottery Barn makes finding investment-worthy furniture and decor pieces easier, thanks to its vast collections of wares. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025

The showcase had a notable Italian accent, with Italian brand Amen parading its latest collection on the runway, and Italian jewelers L’Eight Studio and Coppola e Toppo showcasing their wares in the showroom, the latter securing a sizable order from an Italian retailer attending the week. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

The front sink was blocked by waste and the ware wash sink was disconnected from the drain pipe. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for ware

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

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