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
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have bewaredperfect
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has bewaredperfect 3rd person singular
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am bewaringprogressive 1st person singular
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has been bewaringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is bewaringprogressive 3rd person singular
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bewaringparticiple
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are bewaringprogressive
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bewaressingular 3rd person
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have been bewaringperfect progressive
Past
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had bewaredperfect
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was bewaringprogressive singular
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had been bewaringperfect progressive
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were bewaringprogressive plural
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bewaredparticiple
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bewaredsimple
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.
Demand forecasts have investors flying high, but beware the inevitable price drop.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
But things change, and beware of Matsumoto, the pitcher.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
Fliers beware: It looks like flights will keep getting more expensive and harder to find, even after this week.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026
Given wild intraday market gyrations, to catch a market downswing you may have to act quickly—but beware: Hasty moves can lead to costly errors, says Ed Slott, president of Ed Slott & Co.
From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026
But Donay does not think to tell me to beware of this Lagurie.
From "Taste of Salt: A Story of Modern Haiti" by Frances Temple
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.
