wary
gb/wˈɛɹi/ us/wˈɛɹi/
B2
English
~ 9700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
carefully alert to danger or problems
Careful and watching closely because you think something bad might happen.
Usage pattern:
to be wary of [something/doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "wary" with "weary". "Wary" means careful or cautious because you expect danger; "weary" means very tired. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is natural to say "wary of" (not usually *"wary from" or *"wary about" in standard use).
Synonyms
cautious (Very close in meaning; slightly broader and more neutral, without always implying a specific suspected danger.)
|
alert (Emphasizes being ready to notice danger, not always the careful or hesitant feeling that 'wary' has.)
Antonyms
careless (Describes not taking enough care or not thinking about possible danger, the opposite attitude of being wary.)
|
trusting (Suggests easily believing or accepting without doubt, while 'wary' holds back because of possible risk.)
Collocations
be wary of
|naturally wary
|wary approach
|remain wary
|wary consumer
|wary response
Themes
emotions
|safety
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Investors are increasingly wary of putting money into risky startups.
- She was wary of walking home alone after midnight.
- The cat is wary of strangers and hides under the bed when guests arrive.
- Drivers should be especially wary of black ice on the roads this morning.
- He gave a wary look at the offer, unsure if there was a hidden catch.
Learner examples
- You should be wary of emails that ask for your bank details.
- I am wary of buying things from unknown websites.
- The child is wary of big dogs.
- Tourists are often wary of walking in that area at night.
- Be wary of people who promise you quick and easy money.
adjective
B2
state
2
not fully trusting; slightly suspicious
Not ready to trust someone or something because you think they may not be good or honest.
Usage pattern:
to be wary of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "wary" where "worried" or "afraid" would be more natural. "Wary" focuses on not trusting and being careful, not simply feeling fear. Also, remember the usual pattern is "wary of [someone/something]", not *"wary to" or *"wary with".
Synonyms
suspicious (Stronger and more negative, often suggesting you actively think something is wrong, while 'wary' can be milder and more about careful doubt.)
|
guarded (Focuses on holding back your feelings or opinions; 'wary' focuses on the cautious lack of trust.)
Antonyms
trustful (Readily trusting others, the opposite of the doubting attitude in 'wary'.)
|
open (Willing to share and accept others without much protective distance, unlike the defensive feeling of being wary.)
Collocations
wary of authority
|wary of strangers
|public is wary
|understandably wary
|remain wary of
|deeply wary
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After being lied to once, she is now very wary of him.
- Voters have become wary of politicians who make big promises before elections.
- The company is wary of working with partners it does not know well.
- He sounded friendly, but I was still wary of giving him my personal information.
- Communities that have been hurt before are understandably wary of new development plans.
Learner examples
- She is wary of her new boss because he shouts a lot.
- People are often wary of strangers who come to their door.
- I am wary of online reviews because some of them are fake.
- They are wary of the new manager after the last one treated them badly.
- The public is wary of companies that collect too much personal data.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wary
IPA
GB/wˈɛɹi/
US/wˈɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
wary (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wary)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: wary
- Comparative: warier
- Superlative: wariest
Word family
Forms
warier
adjective
wariest
adjective
Core family
warily
adverb
wariness
noun
Related words
beware
verb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unwary
adjective
unwarily
adverb
Expressions
be wary of
1/bˈi wˈɛɹi əv/
fixed phrase
be careful and cautious about
to be careful about someone or something because you think it might be dangerous, bad, or dishonest
Examples
- Be wary of websites that ask for your password or credit card number.
- You should be wary of making big decisions when you are very tired.
keep a wary eye on
1/kˈip ə wˈɛɹi ˈaɪ ˈɔn/
idiom
watch closely for possible trouble
to watch someone or something carefully because you think there may be a problem or danger
Examples
- The teacher kept a wary eye on the two students who had argued earlier.
- They kept a wary eye on the weather, ready to cancel the trip if the storm grew stronger.