chary
cautious or careful; wary: He was chary of investing in oil wells.
shy; timid.
fastidious; choosy: She is excessively chary about her friends.
sparing (often followed by of): chary of his praise.
Origin of chary
1Other words for chary
Opposites for chary
Other words from chary
- char·i·ly, adverb
- un·char·y, adjective
Words Nearby chary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use chary in a sentence
As a rule, I am chary about doling out diagnoses unless there is a clear indication to do so.
Alexandra Andreievna, unlike her husband, was rather reserved and chary of endearments.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyIt made him very unhappy and more chary in future of confiding his plans to his friends.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyHis little mistress still had her moods, and was tantalisingly chary of her soft words and caresses.
The Quiver 3/1900 | AnonymousThe Mercure—the staid Mercure, so chary of its praise—can find no word to describe her acting but that of sublime.
Queens of the French Stage | H. Noel Williams
This was one of the rare occasions when the termagant was strangely chary about giving offence.
Court Beauties of Old Whitehall | W. R. H. Trowbridge
British Dictionary definitions for chary
/ (ˈtʃɛərɪ) /
wary; careful
choosy; finicky
shy
sparing; mean
Origin of chary
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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