ware

1 of 4

noun

ˈwer 

1

a

: manufactured articles, products of art or craft, or farm produce : goods

—often used in combination

tinware

b

: an article of merchandise

2

: articles (such as pottery or dishes) of fired clay

earthenware

3

: an intangible item (such as a service or ability) that is a marketable commodity

ware

2 of 4

adjective

1

: aware, conscious

was ware of black looks cast at me

—Mary Webb

2

archaic : wary, vigilant

ware

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verb (1)

wared; waring

transitive verb

: to beware of : avoid

—used chiefly as a command to hunting animals

ware

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verb (2)

wared; waring

transitive verb

Scotland

: spend, expend

Synonyms

Noun

• commodities
• goods
• merchandise

Adjective

• alive
• apprehensive
• aware
• cognizant
• conscious
• mindful
• sensible
• sentient
• witting

Verb (1)

• beware (of)
• guard (against)
• look out (for)
• mind
• watch out (for)

Examples of ware in a Sentence

Noun

She sold her wares at the market.

a hunter yelling to his dog, "Ware the porcupine!"

Adjective

he's ware of the dangers that await him in the Antarctic

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From a busy subreddit to a secret world of obsessive home and professional chefs to in-demand artisan carbon steel craftsmen who sell their wares by raffle ticket, the dedication and appreciation to carbon steel runs deep. —Jordan Michelman, WIRED, 15 Dec. 2024

To support several small businesses at once, head to Open Market Collective, a nonprofit that provides brick and mortar space for burgeoning businesses to sell their wares. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

This means the best approach, according to officials, is taking multiple precautions—like staying up to date with vaccines and waring a well-fitting mask—to keep COVID at bay. —Chloe Taylor, Fortune Well, 4 Sep. 2023

Keiko Masumoto’s vessels best represent the beauty of the exhibition by combining the 12th century practice of Shigaraki ware with Pokémon — for example, Charizard pokes its limbs out of a traditional ceramic jar. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English waru; akin to Middle High German ware ware and probably to Sanskrit vasna price — more at venal

Adjective

Middle English war, ware "cognizant, watchful, prudent," going back to Old English wær, going back to Germanic *wara- (whence Old Saxon war "aware, careful," Old High German gewar, Old Norse varr, Gothic wars), going back to Indo-European *u̯oro-, ablaut derivative of *u̯er- "observe, perceive," whence Latin verērī "to show reverence for, fear," Tocharian B wär-sk- "smell (transitive and intransitive)," Latvian vērties "to look, watch," vērot "to observe," and perhaps Greek horáō, horân "to look, see"

Note: Greek horáō, horân has alternatively been seen as an outcome of an Indo-European base *ser- "keep an eye on, protect."

Verb (1)

Middle English waren "to be mindful, be on guard," going back to Old English warian "to be wary, guard, protect," going back to Germanic *warōjan- (whence Old Saxon waron "to attend to, protect," Old High German biwarōn, Old Norse vara "to warn," varask "to be on one's guard"), derivative of *wara- "aware" — more at ware entry 2

Verb (2)

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse verja (past participle varithr, varthr to clothe, invest, spend) — more at wear

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ware

• agate ware
• Canton ware
• Parian ware
• sanitary ware

Kids Definition

ware

noun

ˈwa(ə)r,

ˈwe(ə)r

1

a

: manufactured articles or products of art or craft : goods

—often used in combination

tinware

b

: an article of merchandise

peddlers hawking their wares

2

: items (as dishes) made from fired clay : pottery

earthenware