What is the Latin word for beware?

The usual Latin words for “beware” are caveō, praecaveō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“beware” in Latin

caveōto take precautions, beware, take care; to guard against, attend to a thing for a person, provide; to guard against, to praecaveōto guard against (beforehand), seek to avert or prevent; to take care or heed, take precautions, beware; to be on one’s

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

beware

cavere (sibi), praecavere. If you are wise you will beware of him, si sapis, illum cavebis. To beware that one does not hurt you: to beware of anybody, cavere aliquem. You must beware of him, tibi ab isto cavendum. Beware how you believe, cave credas. They beware of something, cavetur aliquid. Beware what you do, vide quid agas. Beware of an inquisitive person, percunetatorem fugito.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for beware?: The usual Latin words for “beware” are caveō, praecaveō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.