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

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

With the transfer portal and name, image and likeness money spawning bidding wars for college athletes, some coaches are leery of sending players to the Cape for fear they will be poached by other schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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