Definition of Leery
Quick Meaning of Leery
Feeling doubtful or not trusting someone or something; having reservations.
Detailed Definition of Leery
Wary or suspicious of something; unwilling to trust or commit.
How to Pronounce Leery
Stress pattern: Os (2-syllable word).
Tip: One syllable: LEER-ee. First syllable rhymes with 'beer' or 'peer'.
Watch out: Sometimes confused with 'leering' (giving unpleasant look).
Origin and Etymology of Leery
From Dutch 'loer' (to lurk), originally nautical slang meaning 'look askance'; cognate with 'leer'.
How to Use Leery in a Sentence
Each example shows “leery” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Investors grew leery after the company missed three consecutive quarterly targets.”
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“She remained leery of his sudden change in attitude and scrutinized his motives.”
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“The startup's leery approach to sharing data with partners slowed collaborative efforts.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Leery
Common Synonyms for Leery
Smart Synonyms for Leery — When to Use Each
- suspicious
- Actively distrusting; believing something is wrong
- wary
- Cautious vigilance; more objective than leery
- leery
- Reluctant trust; personal feeling of doubt or hesitation
- skeptical
- Intellectually doubting claims; requiring proof
Antonyms of Leery
Common Collocations with Leery
These phrases pair with “leery” in everyday English:
- leery of the deal
- grow leery
- remain leery
- leery customer
- be leery about
Common Mistakes When Using Leery
Even fluent speakers slip up with “leery”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I'm leery about investing in startups.
- ✓ Correct: I'm leery of investing in startups.
- Why: Leery takes 'of' not 'about'; 'about' is used with apprehensive instead.
- ✗ Wrong: That leery person looked at me suspiciously.
- ✓ Correct: That person looked at me in a leering way.
- Why: Leery=adj for suspicion; leering=verb form meaning unpleasant stare.
Words Confused With Leery
- Leery vs Leering: Leering=looking with unpleasant intent (verb); leery=suspicious (adj)
Other Forms of Leery
Frequently Asked Questions About Leery
What is the meaning of "Leery"?
Feeling doubtful or not trusting someone or something; having reservations.
How do you pronounce "Leery"?
The IPA is /ˈlɪr.i/. One syllable: LEER-ee. First syllable rhymes with 'beer' or 'peer'.
What part of speech is "Leery"?
"Leery" is an adjective at C1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Leery"?
Common synonyms include wary, suspicious, skeptical.
How do you use "Leery" in a sentence?
For example: "Investors grew leery after the company missed three consecutive quarterly targets."