Wary Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wary

[ˈwɛːri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling cautious or suspicious

Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.

Synonyms

cautious, distrustful, guarded, suspicious, vigilant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wary	Use when someone is careful because they think something might be dangerous or cause problems. She was wary of walking alone at night. He was wary of investing in unknown startups.
cautious	Use when describing someone who avoids risks because they want to be careful and avoid danger. He is generally cautious when climbing mountains. She approached the strange dog with a cautious demeanor.
suspicious	Use when someone thinks that someone or something is likely to be wrong, bad, or dishonest. Often has a negative connotation. He became suspicious when he saw the unusual activity. She was suspicious of her neighbor's sudden friendliness.
distrustful	Use when someone doubts the honesty or reliability of others, often implying a lack of trust. The villagers were distrustful of the new government policies. He felt distrustful of his new colleague's intentions.
guarded	Use when someone is careful not to show too much emotion or give away too much information because they are protecting themselves. She was very guarded when talking about her past. His answers were guarded during the interrogation.
vigilant	Use when someone is keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties, often in a proactive manner. The guards remained vigilant throughout the night. Parents need to be vigilant about online safety for their children.

Examples of usage

He gave her a wary glance.
She was wary of strangers.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

cautious about possible dangers or problems

Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.

Synonyms

cautious, distrustful, guarded, suspicious, vigilant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wary	Used when someone is careful about potential dangers or problems. She was wary of walking alone at night in the city
cautious	Refers to being careful to avoid risks or making mistakes. He made a cautious decision to invest only a small amount of money
suspicious	Indicates having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something, often negative. The detective was suspicious of the alibi given by the suspect
distrustful	Implies not having trust or confidence in someone or something, often negative. After being cheated, he became distrustful of salespeople
guarded	Used when someone is careful and reserved in their behavior or speech to avoid giving too much away. She was very guarded about her past experiences
vigilant	Describes being watchful and alert to detect potential danger or difficulties. The guards were vigilant, carefully watching everyone who entered the building

Examples of usage

The investor was wary of the stock market.
She was wary of making a hasty decision.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Being cautious helps individuals assess risks and make better decisions in their surroundings.
Psychologically, a wary mindset can protect against anxiety by preparing for possible threats.
Studies show that people who are wary often have heightened awareness, which can enhance problem-solving skills in uncertain situations.

Pop Culture

In many thriller movies, wary characters often survive because their caution helps them escape danger.
Songs about love sometimes mention being wary of heartbreak, highlighting the importance of caution in relationships.
Popular video games frequently feature characters that must be wary of hidden traps or enemies lurking around them.

Literature

Classic literature often depicts wary heroes who must navigate dangerous worlds filled with deceit and treachery.
In fairy tales, characters who are wary of strangers often avoid trouble, showcasing moral lessons about being cautious.
Wary characters are common in detective novels, where they analyze every clue carefully to solve mysteries.

Everyday Life

Being wary can apply to everyday situations, such as meeting new people or trying new foods.
Parents often teach children to be wary in crowded or unfamiliar places to ensure their safety.
Common advice includes being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, promoting critical thinking in decision-making.

Origin of 'wary'

Main points about word origin

The word 'wary' comes from the Old English word 'wær', meaning cautious or aware.
Its roots share similarities with the word 'ware', which means to be cautious or watchful about something.
Wary evolved from notions of being watchful, which emphasized the importance of being alert in potentially dangerous situations.

The word 'wary' originated from the Old English word 'wær', meaning 'cautious'. Over time, it evolved into the Middle English 'ware', which eventually became 'wary' in modern English. The concept of being cautious or suspicious has been a common human trait throughout history, leading to the continued use and relevance of the word 'wary'.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,569, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11566 unqualified
11567 longitudinally
11568 habitation
11569 wary
11570 twigs
11571 proximate
11572 tolerable
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