beware

verb

be·​ware bi-ˈwer 

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 generalization

—Matthew Lipman

Synonyms

• guard (against)
• look out (for)
• mind
• ware
• watch out (for)

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

Taxpayers over 63 also have to beware of Medicare premium surcharges. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

An important one to beware of is the blue wavelengths of light from your cell phone. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2024

Also beware of perforations in the upper designed to make the boots more breathable—those holes could be a liability in deep water or snow. —Svati Kirsten Narula, Outside Online, 25 Oct. 2024

Once the storm passes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency warns consumers to beware of businesses pretending to offer recovery assistance for a fee. —Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

beware

verb

be·​ware bi-ˈwa(ə)r 

-ˈwe(ə)r

1

: to be on one's guard

beware of the dog

2

: to be suspicious of

beware the quick excuse