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Unwary: meaning, definitions and examples

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unwary

 

[ ʌnˈwɛri ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of caution

Unwary refers to someone who is not cautious or alert to potential dangers or difficulties. It describes a state of being unsuspecting or unprepared for harmful situations.

Synonyms

careless, heedless, incautious, naive

Examples of usage

  • The unwary traveler fell victim to a scam.
  • Unwary pedestrians often cross the street without looking.
  • He was unwary of the risks involved in his investment.
  • Many unwary shoppers are deceived by misleading advertisements.

Translations

Translations of the word "unwary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ingénuo

🇮🇳 सावधान नहीं

🇩🇪 ahnungslos

🇮🇩 tidak waspada

🇺🇦 необачний

🇵🇱 nieostrożny

🇯🇵 無警戒な

🇫🇷 naïf

🇪🇸 ingenuo

🇹🇷 dikkatsiz

🇰🇷 경계하지 않는

🇸🇦 غير حذر

🇨🇿 neopatrný

🇸🇰 neobozretný

🇨🇳 不警惕的

🇸🇮 nepreviden

🇮🇸 óvarkar

🇰🇿 сақ болмаған

🇬🇪 გარანტირებული არ არის

🇦🇿 təhlükəsiz

🇲🇽 ingenuo

Etymology

The word 'unwary' originates from Middle English 'unwarie', derived from the prefix 'un-' indicating negation, combined with the word 'warie' which means cautious or wary. The term has its roots in Old English 'warian', meaning to guard or beware, which is related to the concept of vigilance. Over time, 'unwary' has come to describe those who lack caution or are unsuspecting of potential hazards, emphasizing a sense of innocence or ignorance about risks. The evolution reflects a linguistic shift where the prefix negates the original concept of being alert, leading to its contemporary usage in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,278, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.