beware
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
Usage
What does beware mean? Beware means be careful or cautious—watch out for danger or other bad stuff. Beware is a command (or at least a suggestion). Sometimes, it’s used by itself, as in Beware! There are dark forces afoot! More commonly, it’s immediately followed by the specific thing you should beware of, as in Beware the words of politicians. Perhaps most commonly, it’s paired with the word of, such as on a sign that says Beware of cat. (You thought we were going to say Beware of dog, didn’t you? Stay alert, folks. Beware a wily dictionary.)Example: Before you enter the internet, there should be a sign that says “Beware of trolls.”
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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bewaresimple
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bewaressimple
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have bewaredperfect
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has bewaredperfect
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are bewaringprogressive
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am bewaringprogressive
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is bewaringprogressive
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have been bewaringperfect progressive
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has been bewaringperfect progressive
Past
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bewaredsimple
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had bewaredperfect
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was bewaringprogressive
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were bewaringprogressive
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had been bewaringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of beware
1150–1200; Middle English, from phrase of warning be ware. See be, ware 2
Explanation
To beware is to be cautious and on your guard. The riskier the situation, the more you need to beware. A "Beware of the dog" sign means there's a dog in the house who doesn't care for visitors or new people. When you beware, you become very cautious. You look both ways and use extreme caution. This word can be remembered if you break it into two parts: to beware is the same as "to be wary." When you're wary, you're concerned and careful. People in dangerous jobs like the police and fire department need to beware every day.
Vocabulary lists containing beware
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I
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"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
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myPerspectives 6.4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beware of assuming that if an adviser who typically serves wealthier people makes an exception for you, it’s a golden ticket.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
Beware: Once you click this option, you can’t recover the higher quality media, so download the originals to a local drive first.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026
Beware of alleged debt relief scammers that contact you via text, phone call or email.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2025
Harrison had already written about Klein, the break-up and its aftermath in his song Beware of the Darkness, from his hugely successful and critically acclaimed first solo album, the prophetically titled All Things Must Pass.
From BBC • Dec. 8, 2024
Freak goes, "Beware the Force, earthling," and he stands up in the window and I can see he's got a Darth Vader costume on, except he's not wearing the mask part.
From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
