chary
[chair-ee]
adjective, char·i·er, char·i·est.
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
Synonyms for chary
Antonyms for chary
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for chary
cagey, calculating, canny, circumspect, considerate, discreet, economical, fastidious, frugal, gingerly, guarded, heedful, hesitant, inhibited, leery, loath, miserly, particular, prudent, reluctantExamples from the Web for chary
Contemporary Examples of chary
As a rule, I am chary about doling out diagnoses unless there is a clear indication to do so.
Historical Examples of chary
Let us ascertain, if we can, what it means, since they are so chary of informing us themselves.
Life: Its True GenesisR. W. Wright
The maestro was an old man and chary of his words; yet even he was stirred to enthusiasm.
The Dominant StrainAnna Chapin Ray
Besides, since when have actresses become so chary of their favors?
The StrollersFrederic S. Isham
"It was a pleasure he was chary enough of to himself," said she, laughing.
Davenport Dunn, Volume 1 (of 2)Charles James Lever
He realized that, had it not been for her, the Camerons would have been chary of taking him aboard.
Ruth Fielding and the GypsiesAlice B. Emerson
chary
adjective charier or chariest
Word Origin for chary
Old English cearig; related to caru care, Old High German charag sorrowful
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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