chary

[ chair-ee ]

adjective

, char·i·er, char·i·est.

1. cautious or careful; wary:

   He was chary of investing in oil wells.

   Synonyms: circumspect

   Antonyms: trustful

2. shy; timid.

   Antonyms: confident

3. fastidious; choosy:

   She is excessively chary about her friends.

   Antonyms: uncritical

4. sparing (often followed by of ):

   chary of his praise.

   Synonyms: frugal

   Antonyms: lavish

chary

/ ˈtʃɛərɪ /

adjective

1. wary; careful
2. choosy; finicky
3. shy
4. sparing; mean

Other Words From

• chari·ly adverb
• un·chary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chary¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cearig sorrowful ( c ( e ) ar ( u ) care + -ig -y ¹ ); cognate with Old Saxon karag, Old High German karag ( German karg scanty, paltry)

Word History and Origins

Origin of chary¹

Old English cearig; related to caru care , Old High German charag sorrowful

Example Sentences

As a rule, I am chary about doling out diagnoses unless there is a clear indication to do so.

From The Daily Beast

Alexandra Andreievna, unlike her husband, was rather reserved and chary of endearments.

From Project Gutenberg

It made him very unhappy and more chary in future of confiding his plans to his friends.

From Project Gutenberg

His little mistress still had her moods, and was tantalisingly chary of her soft words and caresses.

From Project Gutenberg

The Mercure—the staid Mercure, so chary of its praise—can find no word to describe her acting but that of sublime.

From Project Gutenberg

This was one of the rare occasions when the termagant was strangely chary about giving offence.

From Project Gutenberg