Definition of Leery

1. Adjective. Openly distrustful and unwilling to confide.

Exact synonyms: Mistrustful, Suspicious, Untrusting, Wary
Similar to: Distrustful
Derivative terms: Leer, Suspicion, Suspiciousness, Wariness

Definition of Leery

1. Adjective. Cautious, hesitant, or nervous about something; having reservations or concerns. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Leery

1. suspicious [adj LEERIER, LEERIEST] : LEERILY [adv] - See also: suspicious

Lexicographical Neighbors of Leery

leeps
leered
leerer
leerers
leerier
leeriest
leerily
leeriness
leerinesses
leering
leeringly
leerings
leerness
leers
leery (current term)
lees
leese
leeses
leesing
leesome
leesy
leet
leetle
leetman
leetmen
leets
leetspeak
leetspeek
leeward

Literary usage of Leery

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Harp of Perthshire: A Collection of Songs, Ballads, and Other Poetical by Robert Ford (1893)
"And on nae place their choice could fix, Tig-a-leery, twig-a-leery, bum, bizz ! They saw a hole beneath a tree, " O! this our dwelling place shall be," They ..."

2. All the Year Round: A Weekly Journal by Charles Dickens (1883)
"leery seemed run to earth. " Oh, bosh ! " said leery, sitting on the table, swinging his legs freely, affecting an unconcern he didn't feel: "it'll not last ..."

3. Vagabond Songs and Ballads of Scotland: With Many Old and Familiar Melodies by Robert Ford (1901)
"And when the night begins to lower Tig-a-leery, twig-a-leery, bum, bizz ! We'll hither hie, and here we'll meet, All shielded from the wind and weet, ..."

4. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage by Inc. Merriam-Webster (1994)
"See also LET; LET ALONE. lectern See PODIUM led See LEAD, LED. leery, leary 1. leery and its less common variant leary have been in use for quite a while: ..."

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