What does leery mean?
Leery describes someone who is cautious because they suspect that a person, offer, situation, or statement may be unreliable, deceptive, or dangerous. It is commonly used in the phrase “leery of” or “leery about,” as in “She was leery of investing money in the unfamiliar company.” Although leery is somewhat informal, it is widely understood and useful in both conversation and journalism. The word can also describe a suspicious-looking glance or manner, such as “He gave me a leery look.” Its meaning is stronger than merely careful: leery implies an active lack of trust or an expectation that something may turn out badly. The related verb “leer” refers to a furtive or menacing look, but “leery” focuses primarily on the wary attitude that such a look may suggest.
adjectiveWary or suspicious of someone or something; distrustful and unconvinced. It can also suggest that an action or appearance seems furtive or deceptive.
- Wary or suspicious of someone or something.
- Having or giving the impression of being furtive, deceptive, or difficult to trust.
"She was understandably leery of the unusually generous offer."
"Investors became leery of the company's sudden change in strategy."
"The dog was leery of the stranger standing by the gate."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of leery
Leery was formed from the verb “leer,” which means to look at someone in a furtive, sidelong, or menacing way, together with the suffix “-y.” The adjective originally conveyed the idea of having a suspicious or furtive appearance. Its modern use broadened naturally to mean wary, distrustful, or reluctant to place confidence in someone or something.
How leery is actually used
Commonly informal but widely used in standard English. It is especially frequent in the constructions “leery of” and “leery about.” The word conveys more than simple caution and often implies suspicion, distrust, or reluctance based on a perceived risk.
Easily confused with leery
A leer is a furtive or malicious look, whereas leery is an adjective describing a person who is suspicious or wary.
Eerie means strange or unsettling, while leery means wary or suspicious; they are sometimes confused because of their similar spelling and sound.