beware

American  

[bih-wair] / bɪˈwɛər /

verb (used with object)

bewares, present (3rd person singular) bewared, past participle, past bewaring present participle

1. to be wary, cautious, or careful of (usually used imperatively).

   Beware such inconsistency. Beware his waspish wit.

---

verb (used without object)

bewares, present (3rd person singular) bewared, past participle, past bewaring present participle

1. to be cautious or careful.

   Beware of the dog.

beware British  

/ bɪˈwɛə /

verb

1. to be cautious or wary (of); be on one's guard (against)

---

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

• bewaring
  present
• bewared
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• beware
  simple
• bewares
  simple
• have bewared
  perfect
• has bewared
  perfect
• am bewaring
  progressive
• are bewaring
  progressive
• is bewaring
  progressive
• have been bewaring
  perfect progressive
• has been bewaring
  perfect progressive

Past

• bewared
  simple
• had bewared
  perfect
• was bewaring
  progressive
• were bewaring
  progressive
• had been bewaring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will beware
  simple
• will have bewared
  perfect
• will be bewaring
  progressive
• will have been bewaring
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beware bewares bewared

Still, a company spokesperson urged prospective renters and buyers to beware of possible red flags that might signal a scam.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

So beware of the assumption that a succession plan is needed.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

We must beware the dreary cynics who would have us believe it isn’t.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026

Authorities in all three host countries have encouraged fans to purchase from verified sources, check web addresses and beware of splashy social media offers.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

Know how much you’ve got, and beware of strangers!”

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

Sunny Days, unless one bewares slavishly of imitations, will do.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then, if one bewares of voluntary mistakes, of exaggeration and unfounded assertion, if one builds only upon actual and carefully observed facts, an important and well-grounded discipline must ensue.

From Criminal Psychology; a manual for judges, practitioners, and students by Gross, Hans Gustav Adolf

Bot now thou hast somdiel appesed Thi god, and with good dede plesed, That thou thi pite hast bewared Upon the blod which thou hast spared.

From Confessio Amantis, or, Tales of the Seven Deadly Sins by Macaulay, G. C. (George Campbell)

"And we bewared as hard as we could!" grinned Carol.

From Prudence of the Parsonage by Hueston, Ethel

Related Words

• heed
• take care