Beware
/bɪˈwɛər/noun
To be cautious or on guard against danger or harm.
Did you know?Beware comes from Old English *bewær*, literally meaning “be wary,” and its older parts are tied to the same ancient root behind *wariness* and *aware* — a linguistic reminder that vigilance was once treated like a survival charm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“to watch, guard, perceive”
Old English
OE
bewær
“cautious, alert; on guard”
Old English
OE
bewarian
“to defend, protect, take care”
Middle English
ME
bewaren
“to be on guard against, avoid”
Modern English
English
beware
“to be cautious or vigilant against danger”