See also: ware, Ware, wãrẽ, warē, and wäre

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English ware, from Old English waru, from Proto-Germanic *warō, with meaning gradually shifting from guard, protection to an object that is in possession, hence meriting attention, guarded, cared for, and protected.

Suffix

-ware

  1. Used to form nouns denoting, collectively, items made from a particular substance.
    glass + ‎-ware → ‎glassware
  2. Used to form nouns denoting, collectively, items of a particular kind or for a particular use.
    gift + ‎-ware → ‎giftware
Usage notes
  • Not to be confused with -wear, which is used for types of clothing.
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

From software.

Suffix

-ware

  1. Used to form mass nouns denoting specific classes of computer software, based on use, function, or method of distribution.
    (e.g. groupware in computer-mediated communication)
Derived terms
software
Translations

See also

Anagrams


Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *warjaz (dwellers of). Cognate with Old High German -āri (inhabitants of).

Pronunciation

Suffix

-ware

  1. (used in the plural) suffix denoting inhabitants or residents of a place
    burgwarasresidents of a burg, burghers, citizens
    LundunwarasLondoners
    Rōmwareresidents of Rome; Romans

Declension

  • (masc. i-stem)
  • (masc. a-stem)
  • (masc. n-stem)
  • (fem. ō-stem)

Synonyms

Descendants

  • English: -er