Definition of LEERY

leery

Adjective Satellite

  • openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

Adj

  • Cautious, suspicious, wary, hesitant, or nervous about something; having reservations or concerns.
  • Sly; artful; knowing.
  • Lecherous.

Adjective

  • Cautious or suspicious; wary.

Examples

  • I was LEERY of leaving too many open hooks for my Words With Friends opponent.
  • Since he was bitten by a dog when he was young, he has always been leery of animals.

Origin / Etymology

First attested in 1718, “untrustful, suspicious”, either from leer (“sideward look”) + -y, lear (“learning, knowledge”) + -y. More at leer, lear.

Scrabble Score: 8

leery: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
leery: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
leery: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

leery: valid Words With Friends Word