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Chary
Cautious or wary; reluctant to take risks or commit to something until one is sure.
adjective💡
Imagine This
When eating cherries, you must be cautious not to eat the pits. When barbecuing meat, you have to be cautious to prevent it from becoming charred or burnt.
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Sounds Like
Cherry
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Looks Like
Char (burned to charcoal or scorch)
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Remember This
Chary describes a careful, wary attitude. It is more formal or literary than everyday 'careful' and is often used with of or about.
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Other Forms
charinessnoun
charilyadverb
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Connect With
careful, wary, cautious, prudent, circumspect
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Note
Usage tip: chary is typically followed by of or about (e.g., chary of taking risks, chary about lending money). It differs from careless by meaning that it implies caution rather than negligence.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She was chary of lending money to friends.
- Investors remained chary about the startup's unproven technology.
Synonyms
warycautiouscircumspectprudentwatchful
Antonyms
recklessincautiousheedless
Etymology
From Middle English chary, from Old English carig or similar; related to care, with the sense of being full of care and caution.
Mnemonic
CHARY = Cautious, Hesitant, Aware, Reserved, Yielding to caution.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Prudent
adjectiveCareful; using good judgment and foresight.
Circumspect
adjectiveCareful to consider all potential consequences and circumstances before acting; wary and prudent.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
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