different between wary vs cautelous

English

Etymology

From the adjective ware +? -y.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w???.i/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?w???i/
• Rhymes: -???i

Adjective

wary (comparative warier, superlative wariest)

1. Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, trickery, and dangers; suspiciously prudent

   Synonyms: circumspect, scrupulous, careful

   He is wary of dogs.

2. Characterized by caution; guarded; careful; on one's guard
3. thrifty, provident

Synonyms

• cautious, guarded, careful, chary

Derived terms

• unwarily
• unwary
• warily
• wariness

Translations

See also

• weary

Further reading

• wary in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

• Wray, awry, wray

Polish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?va.r?/

Noun

wary m inan

1. nominative/accusative/vocative plural of war

English

Etymology

From Middle French cauteleux.

Adjective

cautelous (comparative more cautelous, superlative most cautelous)

1. (obsolete) Skillful in trickery or deception; cunning, wily.
2. (obsolete) Cautious, careful.
   • 1624, John Smith, Generall Historie, in Kupperman 1988, p. 140:

     Some are of disposition fearefull, some bold, most cautelous, all Savage.

Related terms

• cautel
• cautelously
• cautelousness