Chary
Cautious or wary; reluctant to take risks or commit to something until one is sure.
adjectiveChary
Cautious or wary; reluctant to take risks or commit to something until one is sure.
adjectiveImagine 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.
Sounds Like
Cherry
Looks Like
Char (burned to charcoal or scorch)
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.
Other Forms
Connect With
careful, wary, cautious, prudent, circumspect
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.
Study Deeper
- She was chary of lending money to friends.
- Investors remained chary about the startup's unproven technology.
From Middle English chary, from Old English carig or similar; related to care, with the sense of being full of care and caution.
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.