小词详解 | wary
wary 英 [ˈweəri] 美 [ˈweri]
TOEFL SAT TEM8 GRE
外刊例句
It seems likely to lead to a massive spending binge, but companies should remain wary.
这似乎将引发大规模的投资热潮,但企业应保持谨慎。
——《经济学人》Banks remain wary of making loans to borrowers with tarnished scores, typically 660 and below; scores above 750 are considered good.
银行仍然对向信用分数不高的借款人发放贷款持谨慎态度,通常为660分及以下;超过750分被认为是信用良好。
——《纽约时报》
基本释义
[adjective] feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
[形容词] 对可能的危险或问题感到或表现出谨慎的
深入解读
Wary 是一个与 weary (疲劳的、疲倦的、疲惫的)较为形似也容易混淆的单词。该词源自古英语 wær (谨慎的、意识到的、警觉的、小心的),15世纪末期出现在英语中后也是用来表示“小心的、谨慎的、留神的、提防的、小心翼翼的”,常用搭配 wary of sb/sth 或 wary of doing sth ,主要指对待某人或某事物时警惕且谨慎,因为对其了解不多而怀疑其很危险或者会引发问题、困难等,以便能够机智地躲避开来,比如:
她唯恐牵连了她姐姐。
She was wary of implicating her sister.他留意地看了她一眼,及时防止了一场灾难。
He gave her a wary look and a disaster was narrowly averted.
而常用表达 keep a wary eye on sb/sth 则相应表示“小心观察、密切注意”,即对某人或某个事物保持高度警惕,观察他们会做什么或者会发生什么,比如:
他对那个巧言令色的说谎高手保持高度警惕。
He kept a wary eye on the plausible liar.
名著用例
The tomcat watched her come, his eyes wary.
公猫看着她渐渐逼近,眼里充满警戒。
出自美国作家乔治·R·R·马丁所著的史诗奇幻小说系列《冰与火之歌》(A Song of Ice and Fire)。
同近义词
cautious: (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers
circumspect: wary and unwilling to take risks
chary: cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something
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