wary

/ˈwɛri/

/ˈwɛri/

Other forms: wariest; warier

Describe yourself as wary if you don't quite trust someone or something and want to proceed with caution. Be wary of risky things like wild mushrooms and Internet deals!

You can trace wary through Old English back to Old High German giwar "aware, attentive." If you keep a wary eye on something, you are attentive for signs that it is becoming dangerous. Likewise, if you give someone a wary glance, your face conveys the suspicion and caution you feel. When you are wary of driving alone at night or making promises, you fear something bad might happen if you do these things.

Definitions of wary

1. adjective

   marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
   “they were wary in their movements”

   “a wary glance at the black clouds”

   “taught to be wary of strangers”

   synonyms:

   on guard, on one's guard, on your guard, upon one's guard

   vigilant

   shy

   wary and distrustful; disposed to avoid persons or things

   antonyms:

   unwary

   not alert to danger or deception

   gullible

   easily tricked because of being too trusting

   unguarded

   displaying or feeling no wariness
2. adjective

   openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
   synonyms: leery, mistrustful, suspicious, untrusting

   distrustful

   having or showing distrust