beware

IPA/bɪˈweə(r)/
KK[bɪwˈɛr]IPA/bɪˈwer/

beware — verb

  • bewarepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • bewares3rd person singular
  • bewaring-ing form
  • bewaredpast simple

1. used to tell someone that a person, animal, thing, or situation may cause harm o

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveC1
Definition

used to tell someone that a person, animal, thing, or situation may cause harm or trouble, so they should stay alert.

Example

Beware of the wet floor near the school kitchen.

beware of + noun

Coach Lin told the runners to beware of loose stones.

reported warning with beware of

Common collocations
  • beware of snakes
  • beware of scams
  • beware the step
  • beware when strangers offer help
Synonyms
  • be careful

    broader and less forceful; it does not always suggest a specific danger

  • watch out

    more conversational and common in quick spoken warnings

  • guard against

    more formal and often used for risks you can prevent by planning

  • mind

    especially British and often used for immediate physical dangers

Grammar Patterns

beware of + noun

beware + direct object

beware when + clause

Usage Note

Often followed by of + noun in everyday use. A direct object without of, as in 'Beware the step', is much more formal or fixed; sense 2 is the sign wording rather than a normal spoken warning.

Common Mistakes

Beware from pickpockets in the market.
Beware of pickpockets in the market.
the usual preposition after 'beware' is 'of'.
Please be beware of that dog.
Please beware of that dog.
'beware' is already a verb, so do not add 'be' before it.

2. written on a notice, gate, or label to show that there is danger nearby.

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

written on a notice, gate, or label to show that there is danger nearby.

Example

A red sign at the gate said, 'Beware of the dog.'

common warning sign: beware of + noun

The notice on the cave door simply said, 'Beware.'

sign use without an object

Common collocations
  • beware of the dog
  • beware of falling rocks
  • beware sign
  • beware notice
Synonyms
  • warning

    a general noun for any alert, not the exact wording on the sign

  • caution

    common on signs, often slightly less dramatic than 'beware'

  • danger

    stronger sign language that states the threat more directly

Grammar Patterns

Beware.

Beware of + noun

Usage Note

Usually appears alone or before of + noun on notices, gates, posters, and labels. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the ordinary verb used when a speaker directly warns someone.

Common Mistakes

The sign said beware for dogs.
The sign said beware of dogs.
on warning signs, 'beware' usually takes 'of' before the danger.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Beware' is stronger and more pointed than 'be careful'. You use it when a real danger may be present, especially in warnings like 'Beware of the dog' or 'Beware of scams'. 'Watch out' is the most conversational choice and often fits sudden spoken warnings. 'Guard against' is more formal and usually introduces a risk you can reduce by planning ahead, such as error, disease, or loss. 'Mind' can also warn people, especially in British English, but it often points to an immediate physical danger, as in 'Mind the step'. If a friend sees ice on the path, 'Watch out' sounds natural; if a notice warns of a threat, 'Beware' is the better word.

beware ↗be carefulwatch out ↗guard againstmind ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • beware of danger
  • beware of dogs

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Beware comes from Old English 'bewarian', a verb formed from the prefix 'be-' and an older word meaning 'to be cautious' or 'to guard'. The core idea stayed much the same over time: keeping yourself alert because something may be dangerous.