What is wary? Pronunciation and usage in English

wary means . Learn how to pronounce and use wary through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of wary

waryadjective

/ˈweəri//ˈweri/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "wary." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "War" - This is the most important part. You need to make the sound as in the word "war." It’s a short, sharp "ar" sound. Think of the "a" in "car."

2. The "y" Sound:

  • The "y" at the end changes the vowel sound. It's not a typical "y" like in "yellow." Instead, it makes the "ar" sound even shorter and a little bit more abrupt. It's almost like you're squeezing the "ar" sound.

Putting it together:

The whole word is pronounced roughly as: ˈwɛəri (stress on the first syllable).

Here's a visual breakdown:

  • w – Touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue (like in "water").
  • a – Short "a" sound – like in "car" – (a quick, tight vowel).
  • r – Roll your 'r' slightly (optional, but common in American English).
  • y – A very brief, almost squeezed "ar" sound.

Resources for Hearing It:

Tips for Practicing:

  • Start with "war" and then add the quick "y" sound.
  • Record yourself and compare it to native speakers.
  • Don’t over-emphasize the “y” – it’s a subtle change.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "wary"?

Usage and examples with the word wary in English

Let's break down how to use the word "wary" effectively in English.

1. Definition:

"Wary" means cautious and alert, often because of a potential danger or risk. It suggests a feeling of being watchful and hesitant. It’s more than just being careful; it’s a feeling of unease and a deliberate attempt to avoid trouble.

2. Part of Speech:

  • Adjective: This is the most common usage. You describe something as wary.
    • Example: "He was a wary traveler, always checking for strangers."
  • Adverb: Less common, but it modifies a verb, describing how someone acts.
    • Example: "She entered the building wary of any traps."

3. How to Use it – Examples & Context:

Here's a breakdown with different scenarios:

  • Regarding Danger/Risk: This is the core meaning.

    • "The hikers were wary of the approaching storm." (They're concerned about the danger it will bring.)
    • “The old man was wary of the new neighbors.” (He’s suspicious of them, potentially based on past experiences or intuition.)
    • "The detective was wary of the suspect’s smooth demeanor." (He suspects something isn't right.)

  • Regarding People/Trust: “Wary” is often used when dealing with people you don't know well or who seem suspicious.

    • “She was wary of accepting his offer; it seemed too good to be true.”
    • "He was wary of politicians and their promises." (He’s skeptical of what they say.)

  • Regarding Experiences: Sometimes it relates to past experiences.

    • "After being scammed once, she was wary of online deals.”

  • Describing a Character's Personality: You can describe a character as "wary."

    • "The protagonist was a wary soul, shaped by a difficult childhood."

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Cautious
  • Suspicious
  • Skeptical
  • Guarded
  • Trepidatious (more formal, suggesting fear)
  • Alert

5. Contrast with “Careful”:

It’s important to understand the difference between “wary” and “careful.” “Careful” simply means taking precautions. “Wary” implies a reason for those precautions – a suspicion or perceived threat.

  • Careful: “Be careful when crossing the street.” (General advice)
  • Wary: “He was wary of the heavy traffic.” (He’s aware of the danger and acting accordingly.)

6. Putting it into sentences:

Here are some more examples to help you practice:

  • "The children were wary of the dark forest."
  • "The company was wary of investing in the new venture."
  • “She approached the situation wary of his intentions.”
  • “He offered a wary smile, unsure of how she’d react.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., fiction, non-fiction, formal essay, casual conversation)
  • Can you give me a sentence where you’d like to use the word “wary”? I can then provide a more tailored suggestion.

Synonyms for the word wary

Practice with vocabulary wary

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After a data breach, customers became incredibly ______ of sharing their personal information online.
  2. The new manager was ______ of making drastic changes without fully understanding the company's existing culture.
  3. Researchers remained ______ about the initial results, requiring further peer review before publication.
  4. To avoid errors, the audit team must be ______ in every detail of the financial records.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following describes someone who is cautious and suspicious, especially of potential dangers or problems? a) Indifferent b) Wary c) Naive d) Circumspect e) Reckless

  2. When approaching a new business proposal that seems too good to be true, it's wise to be _______. a) Eager b) Optimistic c) Wary d) Credulous e) Skeptical

  3. After being scammed once, she became increasingly ______ of unsolicited emails offering financial gains. a) Wary b) Gullible c) Trusting d) Suspicious e) Oblivious

  4. A successful negotiator must be ______ enough to read between the lines and understand unspoken cues. a) Dull b) Astute c) Oblivious d) Perceptive e) Careless

  5. It is always ______ to back up important files regularly to prevent data loss. a) Reckless b) Impulsive c) Prudent d) Folly e) Sensible

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Investors showed considerable caution regarding the volatile stock market. (Rewrite using "wary")

  2. The government proceeded with extreme carefulness when implementing the controversial new policy. (Rewrite using a related word form of "wary")

  3. The project manager closely watched the progress of the high-risk task. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "closely watched")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. wary
  2. wary
  3. skeptical
  4. diligent

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Wary, d) Circumspect
  2. c) Wary, e) Skeptical
  3. a) Wary, d) Suspicious
  4. b) Astute, d) Perceptive
  5. c) Prudent, e) Sensible

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Investors were wary of the volatile stock market.
  2. The government proceeded warily when implementing the controversial new policy.
  3. The project manager monitored the progress of the high-risk task.

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