Wary vs Weary
Wary and weary are often mistaken due to their similar spelling and pronunciation, but they have different meanings. They are both adjectives. Wary means cautious or careful. Weary means tired or experiencing fatigue.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Wary (adjective)
Cautious, careful.
Examples:
Be wary of scams in that area.
It’s always good to be wary of strangers for your own safety.
Note: a helpful tip for remembering the definition of wary is that the war- part of the adjective comes from the same -ware in words like aware and beware. These other words also relate to knowing something, often in a cautious or careful manner.
Weary (adjective)
1) Tired, experiencing fatigue.
Examples:
He was weary of traveling from place to place with no rest.
Weary drivers should pull over and rest to avoid accidents.
2) When paired with the verb “to grow,” to become tired or fatigued.
Examples:
I grew weary of their incessant babbling.
Eating the same food over and over causes many people to grow weary of it.
Main Points
- Wary and weary sound and look quite similar, and they’re both adjectives. However, they have different meanings.
- Wary means cautious or careful.
- Weary means tired or experiencing fatigue by itself, or it means to become tired or fatigued when paired with the verb “to grow.”