leery

¹

[ leer-ee ]

adjective

, leer·i·er, leer·i·est.

1. wary; suspicious (usually followed by of ):

   I'm leery of his financial advice.

2. Archaic. knowing; alert.

leery

²

[ leer-ee ]

adjective

, leer·i·er, leer·i·est.

1. leer ².

leery

/ ˈlɪərɪ /

adjective

1. dialect.
   knowing or sly
2. slang.
   foll by of suspicious or wary
3. slang.
   rowdy or boisterous

Derived Forms

• ˈleeriness, noun

Other Words From

• leeri·ly adverb
• leeri·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leery¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; leer ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of leery²

leer ² + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leery¹

C18: perhaps from obsolete sense (to look askance) of leer

Example Sentences

Glenn Whipp writes, “I was leery at the prospect of ‘Inside Out 2.’

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a major non-Nato ally and has been leery of Russian influence in Algeria, Libya and the Sahel - adding up to a mix that would be stirred if Trump cuts deals with Putin.

From BBC

The American right has always been leery of universities.

From Salon

Officials raised the salaries for city-sanctioned gang interventionists to $60,000 a year, but some police officers remain leery of working too closely with outreach workers who still have one foot in the street life.

From Los Angeles Times

Some rank-and-file police officers remain leery of working too closely with outreach workers who still have one foot in the street life.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• careful
• cautious
• distrustful
• dubious
• skeptical
• uncertain
• unsure
• wary