beware
gb/bɪwˈɛɹ/ us/bɪwˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
state
1
be careful because of danger
To be careful because something may be dangerous or bad for you.
Usage pattern:
beware of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "beware" with "be aware" and say *"beware of that the road is icy" instead of "beware, the road is icy" or "be aware that the road is icy". Another common mistake is leaving out the preposition "of" in the usual pattern, saying *"beware scams" instead of "beware of scams". Also, "beware" is almost never used in progressive forms; avoid phrases like *"I am bewearing of dogs" and use "I beware of dogs" or, more naturally, "I am careful with dogs".
Synonyms
be careful (More general and common; does not always suggest a specific danger the way "beware" often does.)
|
watch out (More informal and often used in spoken warnings and exclamations.)
|
be wary (Emphasizes a suspicious, cautious attitude that may continue for some time.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means not paying attention to danger or warnings, the opposite of staying alert.)
Collocations
beware of
|beware of scams
|beware of strangers
|beware of dog
|beware of fraud
|you should beware
Themes
safety
|warnings
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Tourists are advised to beware of pickpockets in crowded areas.
- You should beware of clicking on links in unknown emails.
- Drivers must beware of ice on the roads at night.
- Beware of online deals that seem too good to be true.
- Hikers were told to beware of sudden weather changes in the mountains.
Learner examples
- Beware of dogs in this yard.
- Please beware of cars when you cross the street.
- Beware of people who ask for your password.
- We must beware of fire in this dry forest.
Grammar
Dictionary form
beware
IPA
GB/bɪwˈɛɹ/
US/bɪwˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
be - ware (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ware)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: beware
Word family
Expressions
beware of
1/bɪwˈɛɹ əv/
fixed phrase
warn about a specific danger
Used to tell someone to be careful about a particular thing that may be dangerous or bad.
Examples
- Beware of falling rocks along this part of the road.
- Consumers should beware of hidden fees in the contract.
- Parents are told to beware of online games that collect children’s data.
beware of dog
1/bɪwˈɛɹ əv dˈɔɡ/
fixed phrase
warning about a possibly dangerous dog
Words on a sign or warning that tell people there is a dog that may bite or be dangerous.
Examples
- A large sign on the gate read "Beware of Dog."
- They put up a beware of dog notice after getting a new guard dog.
let the buyer beware
1/lˈɛt ðə bˈaɪɚ bɪwˈɛɹ/
idiom
formal
buyer is responsible for risks
Says that the person who buys something must check it carefully and accept the risk if there is a problem.
Examples
- When you buy second-hand goods, it is often a case of "let the buyer beware."
- The company argues that its terms are clear and that, in the end, let the buyer beware.
- Online marketplaces still follow the old rule: let the buyer beware.
buyer beware
1/bˈaɪɚ bɪwˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
Warning to check before buying
It means that the person buying something must be careful and check it before paying, because they take the risk.
Examples
- When buying second-hand items online, remember: buyer beware.
- With cheap electronics, it's often a case of buyer beware.
- It's a case of buyer beware when shopping at street markets.
- There is no warranty on this car, so buyer beware.
- In many online auctions, the rule is buyer beware.