adj
leery
LEER-ree
Leery (adj) means Cautious or suspicious about something, unwilling to fully trust it. Example: “I'm leery of investments that promise guaranteed high returns.”
adj
1
Cautious or suspicious about something, unwilling to fully trust it.
"Since he was bitten by a dog when he was young, he has always been leery of animals."
"I'm leery of investments that promise guaranteed high returns."
"She was leery of the stranger offering free advice."
How to use leery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWary or distrustful, holding back because something feels off.
When to use it
Informal — common in speech, less so in formal writing.
Common pairings
leery of
grow leery
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Word forms
- Comparative
- leerier
- Superlative
- leeriest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm _____ of investments that promise guaranteed high returns.
Etymology
First recorded in the early 1700s, likely built from "leer" (a sly, sideways look) plus the adjective ending -y.
Class of 1700
leery joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for leery
See all rhymes for leery →Frequently asked questions
What does “leery” mean?
The word “leery” means cautious or suspicious about something, unwilling to fully trust it. In plain terms, wary or distrustful, holding back because something feels off.
How do you pronounce “leery”?
“Leery” is pronounced LEER-ree (/ˈlɪɚi/ in IPA).
How do you use “leery” in a sentence?
Here is “leery” used in a sentence: “I'm leery of investments that promise guaranteed high returns.”
What part of speech is “leery”?
“Leery” is an adjective.
Where does the word “leery” come from?
The word “leery” dates back to around 1700. First recorded in the early 1700s, likely built from "leer" (a sly, sideways look) plus the adjective ending -y.
