Wary is a five-letter word with the phonetic transcription of /ˈwɛəri/ or "WEH-ree". It means to be cautious or watchful, hesitant, or having a sense of caution. The spelling of the word "wary" is simply derived from the Middle English word "ware", which means cautious or vigilant. It's essential to correctly spell words like "wary" in communication, as incorrect spelling might lead to misinterpretation or confusion. So, it's crucial to pay attention to the spelling of words and their phonetic transcription, as well.
Wary is an adjective that describes someone or something as cautious, alert, or vigilant in dealing with potential risks or dangers. It implies a sense of wariness or suspicion, where individuals exercise caution and are alert to potential harm or deceit.
In personal relationships, being wary refers to one's attitude of being on guard or suspicious of others' motives or intentions, especially after experiencing prior unpleasant encounters or betrayal. It suggests that someone is not easily trusting and approaches situations with caution to protect themselves from potential harm or disappointment.
Wary can also describe a general state of vigilance or wariness towards a particular subject or circumstance. For example, individuals may be wary of certain financial investments or deals due to concerns about potential risks or fraudulent activities. Similarly, people might be wary of new technologies or advancements until their safety and reliability are thoroughly understood.
In summary, being wary implies exercising caution and maintaining a state of alertness to potential risks, whether in personal relationships, business dealings, or any other context. It is a prudent and self-protective approach to navigate the uncertainties and potential dangers that one may encounter in life.
That carefully watches artifices and dangers in order to guard against them; carefully cautions; timorously prudent.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "wary" comes from the Old English word "warig" or "werig", which meant "cautious" or "prudent". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "warigaz", meaning "attentive" or "careful". The word "wary" has remained relatively consistent in its meaning throughout its history.