adj

chary

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Chary (adj) means Careful and cautious, often in a shy or wary way.

adj

Careful and cautious, often in a shy or wary way.

"The latter of these conceptions of law is the one that prevails in current science such as avoids metaphysical insinuation, and, chary as to a priori principles and methods, proceeds empirically and inductively." — F. R. Tennant, The Conformity of the World to Law (1930)

Overly fussy or particular about small details.

Unwilling to give things away freely; careful and sparing with money or resources.

"American forces on the west of the Soissons salient stopped a German advance and the French, who are chary of compliments, declared that our "lightning trained" men conducted themselves as veterans." — , Checking the Teutons on the Western Front (1918)

Looked after and treasured as something precious.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

From Middle English chari, charre, charri, chary, Early Middle English cearig, chariȝ (“concerned with, diligent; sad, sorrowful; of a person: cherished, loved”), from Old English ċeariġ (“careful; pensive; chary, wary; anxious, sad, sorrowful; dire, grievous”), from Proto-West Germanic *karag (“anxious; sad”), from Proto-Germanic *karō + *-gaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ǵeh₂r- (“exclamation; voice”) + *-kos (suffix forming adjectives with the meaning ‘pertaining to; typical of’)); analysable as care + -y. The English word is cognate with Danish karrig (“miserly, stingy”), Dutch karig (“austere, scant, sparing”), Norwegian karrig (“barren; meagre; poor”), Old High German charag, karag (“sparing”) (modern German karg (“barren; meagre, poor”)), Old Saxon carag, karag, Swedish karg (“austere; barren; hungry; needy, poor”). See further at care.

Synonyms

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cagey cagy

Antonyms

negligent lax reckless careless heedless

Related words

careful severe abandoned desperate strict clever deaf tense

Rhymes for chary

vary Mary nary wary diary apiary canary salary binary ossuary January Hungary

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of chary?

"chary" (adj) means careful and cautious, often in a shy or wary way.

What is another word for chary?

Other words for "chary" include cagey, cagy.

What is the opposite of chary?

Opposites of "chary" include negligent, lax, reckless, careless, heedless.

What are the different meanings of chary?

"chary" has 3 main meanings: 1. Careful and cautious, often in a shy or wary way; 2. Overly fussy or particular about small details; 3. Unwilling to give things away freely; careful and sparing with money or resources.

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careful severe abandoned desperate strict clever deaf tense