Leery
/ˈlɪri/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Leery describes a feeling when someone is careful and does not fully trust a person, situation, or thing. It means you are alert and watchful because you expect something bad or tricky might happen. People feel leery when they want to protect themselves from possible problems.
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⚡ See It in Action
Feeling cautious or suspicious about something or someone
- •She was leery of the stranger who asked too many questions.
- •Investors are leery of putting money into risky businesses.
- •He felt leery about walking home alone at night.
Showing a warning or doubt in behavior or expression
- •The dog gave a leery look when the new person approached.
- •His leery smile showed he didn’t fully believe the story.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "leery" like "careful," but with a stronger feeling of doubt or worry that something might go wrong.
- ✓Picture someone looking around nervously before entering a dark alley, their eyes moving quickly to check for danger.
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you meet a stranger who seems friendly but you are not sure if you should trust them.
- ✓Sounds like "LEER-ee" → imagine someone looking sideways with a small frown, as if they are unsure or suspicious.
- ✓In stories, a character might be leery before accepting a mysterious gift, unsure if it is a trick.
- ✓NOT like "curious" (which is wanting to know more), leery is more about fear or doubt about what could happen.
- ✓NOT like "careless" (not paying attention), leery means paying close attention because you feel unsure.
- ✓NOT like "trusting" (believing someone), leery means you do NOT trust fully and want to be careful.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Cautious: careful to avoid danger or problems (Use when focus is on careful behavior without strong doubt)
- •Suspicious: feeling that something is wrong or someone is not honest (Use when you strongly suspect dishonesty or danger)
- •Distrustful: not trusting someone or something (Use when trust is broken or very low)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root "leer" related to looking sideways or suspiciously)
- •Etymology: From English "leer," meaning to look sideways in a way that shows doubt or suspicion, plus "-y" to make an adjective
- •Historical development: "Leery" appeared in English in the late 1800s to describe a suspicious or cautious attitude
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe feelings of doubt, caution, or suspicion toward people, situations, or ideas
- •Interesting fact: "Leer" alone often means a sly or unpleasant look, but "leery" focuses on the feeling of caution or doubt
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When have you felt leery about a new situation or person? What made you feel that way?
•How can being leery help you make better decisions in everyday life?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.She felt leery about giving her personal information because she ___ the person might misuse it.
2.People are often leery ___ offers that sound too good to be true.
3.Unlike being curious, feeling leery means you ___ trust the situation completely.
4.When someone is leery, they usually act ___ and watch carefully before deciding.
5.He gave a leery glance ___ the strange noise outside his window.
6.Investors became leery ___ the new company after hearing negative news.
7.If you are leery of something, it means you want to ___ any possible problems or dangers.