wary

Everyday

1. Careful and a little worried because something might be dangerous or tricky. tree →
2. Not quick to trust someone or something: «wary of strangers». tree →
3. Watchful, keeping an eye out for trouble. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons, being wary is good: be wary of strangers online, of deep water, of emails that ask for passwords. In stories a wary character watches, waits and does not trust easily; a wary animal stays alert to danger. Phrases: «be wary of», «keep a wary eye on», «wary look».

Examples

• The cat was wary of the new dog and stayed on the shelf. tree →
• Be wary of emails that ask for your password. tree →
• The deer gave us a wary look and ran into the trees. tree →
• Mum is wary of buying things from pop-up adverts. tree →
• I was a bit wary of the big slide at first. tree →
• The lifeguard kept a wary eye on the swimmers near the rocks. tree →
• Pupils should be wary of websites that promise free prizes. tree →
• "Be wary," said the king, "there are men within the stable, let us get at them somehow." tree →

Note

Do not confuse «wary» (careful, suspicious) with «weary» (very tired) or «wear». «Wary of» something, not «wary from». Opposites: trusting, careless. Noun: wariness; adverb: warily.