wary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  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
  2. adjective satellite openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
    untrusting; suspicious; leery; mistrustful.

WordNet

Wa"ry adjective
Etymology
OE. war, AS. wær; akin to Icel. vrr, Dan. & Sw. var, Goth. wars, G. gewahr aware, OHG. wara notice, attention, Gr. to see. Cf. Aware, Garment, Garnish, Garrison, Panorama, Ward, v. t. Ware, a., Warren.
Wordforms
comparative Warier ; superlative Wariest
Definitions
  1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices, and dangers; timorously or suspiciously prudent; circumspect; scrupulous; careful. "Bear a wary eye." Shak.
    We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men. Milton.
  2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful.
    It behoveth our words to be wary and few. Hooker.
    Syn. -- Cautious; circumspect; watchful. See Cautious.

Webster 1913