leery

¹

Sometimes lear·y

[leer-ee]

adjective

leerier, leeriest 

1. wary; suspicious (usually followed byof ).

   I'm leery of his financial advice.

2. Archaic.,  knowing; alert.

leery

²

[leer-ee]

adjective

leerier, leeriest 

1. leer.

leery

/ ˈlɪərɪ /

adjective

1. dialect,  knowing or sly

2. slang,  (foll by of) suspicious or wary

3. slang,  rowdy or boisterous

Other Word Forms

• leeriness noun
• leerily adverb

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

Historically, Mennonites faced persecution in other countries, making them leery of interacting with authorities, Holbrooks said.

From Salon

By now, you might be feeling pretty frustrated and more than a little leery about what’s pouring out of your kitchen faucet.

From Salon

Presenting maps directly to voters is viewed as an effort to sway Californians who may be leery of letting the Legislature redraw the districts after they vote, according to redistricting experts.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, a majority of GOP voters — traditionally leery of regulation — surveyed also backed strengthening building codes and imposing more restrictions on development in high-risk neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times

“We were leery of Chicanos and Americans who didn’t appreciate our being higher class Mexicans. We were like caught in between.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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