to beware
- verb
- /bɪˈwɛr/
- The sign at the park warns people to beware of wild animals in the area.
- buyer beware
- let the buyer beware
So the first, the most important thing is to beware of both levels.
- So the first, the most important thing is to beware of both levels.
- You know, we're, I always say beware of, of comfort and ease.
- And what Ernest Becker said is, you know, beware of insatiable desires.
- There's an old African proverb that says beware when a naked man offers you his shirt.
- And the advice is beware the demon pomposity.
- There is little middle ground and as such, always beware a gift horse with a narcissist.
- So beware melatonin for that reason, please.
- So beware when you're there if you ever get there, beware of the drop there.
- That's a a great example of, you know, buyer must beware.
- But if somebody really, really goes at me, they'd better beware.
Examples
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So beware of mathematicians bearing gifts.
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However, in the rush to embrace universal image grabbing, we must beware of trivialization.
Academic text (1995) -
So the first, the most important thing is to beware of both levels.
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- Beware of your head.
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OK, so so either way is fine, but beware of that little danger.
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And remember, beware of the big bad wolf.
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I'll add to that by saying beware of the man who has the answers.
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I've got a big sign on my gates that says beware of large dogs on the loose.
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Terracotta buyers beware: how secure is the title of your seller?
Academic text (2001) -
Social workers should beware of the mistake of concluding that home placement is necessarily a preferable choice.
Academic text (1994)
Synonyms
To be careful and pay attention to possible danger
Take care to avoid danger or getting hurt
To be careful to avoid danger or trouble
To be careful to avoid danger
Watch for danger or trouble
Be careful to avoid danger or upsetting someone
To watch carefully so you notice danger or changes
Alert and ready to act if danger or problems appear
Ready and alert to notice danger or problems
Be very careful because you could get into trouble
Alert and ready to deal with danger or problems
Ready and careful about possible danger or problems
Antonyms
Idioms
A warning that people who buy something should check it carefully because they are responsible for problems
How Cautious
Surface Forms
Morphology
beware = ware (semi-transparent) = be + ware
Formally 'be-' + 'ware' is a transparent prefixation, but 'ware' meaning 'cautious' is archaic/rare and not known to many learners, so the relation is only partly obvious.
Etymology
The word beware comes from the old parts be- and ware, where ware meant 'watchful' or 'careful' and appears in words like aware and wary. So to beware is to be 'on guard' and watch for danger.