# wary

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈwɛə.ɹi/ · frequency rank #13,639

## Definitions
1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent
2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful; on one's guard
3. thrifty, provident

## Etymology
From the adjective ware + -y.

## Easily confused with
- **wy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wy)
- **was** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-was)
- **way** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-way)
- **why** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-why)
- **wax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wax)
- **wat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wat)
- **wer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wer)
- **wry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wry)
- **wor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wor)
- **WAV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wav)
- **were** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-were)
- **work** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-work)
- **word** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-word)
- **ways** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-ways)
- **wear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wear)
- **wave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wave)
- **wash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wash)
- **wire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wire)
- **wore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-wore)
- **worn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wary-vs-worn)

## Common misspellings (4)
`warry`, `waryy`, `wayr`, `wwary`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/wary