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cagy

cagy

7.8
Very careful about what they say and show to avoid trouble or gain advantage
  • adjective
  • /ˈkeɪdʒi/
translation icon : reservado
  • In interviews, the politician was cagy, avoiding direct answers to challenging questions.

Examples

  • The spy remained cagy, revealing little about his true intentions during the negotiations.

  • Now wouldn't a fellow like Nelson be cagy about seeing me again>

  • Intelligence reported that the man living there was of unknown political leanings, but cagy and dangerous, perhaps even a cannibal.

    Blog text (34)
  • He's the cagiest horse I've ever seen.

  • She was always cagy about her plans, making it difficult for her friends to know what she was really thinking.

Synonyms

secretive
vscagy
71 4.9

A person who does not tell others about their plans or feelings

is more focused on careful secrecy to avoid trouble or gain advantage
close
vscagy
42 7.0

Not willing to tell others about something

is primarily cautious about information to protect advantage or avoid trouble
evasive
vscagy
25 7.3

Not giving a direct answer to hide the truth or avoid commitment

is more about cautious secrecy rather than just avoiding clear answers
tight-lipped
vscagy
18 5.7

Not willing to speak or give information

is more about strategic withholding to avoid trouble or gain advantage
cagey
vscagy
15 7.5

Careful not to give away information or show their plans

is the same meaning but differs only in spelling
closemouthed
vscagy
1 7.5

Not willing to talk or share information

is more deliberately hiding facts to gain advantage or avoid trouble
chary
vscagy
  • Formal
1 9.5

Careful and unwilling to take risks

is more specifically about hiding information to avoid trouble or gain advantage
guarded
vscagy
4.9

Careful about showing feelings or strong opinions to avoid saying too much

is more actively secretive to avoid trouble or gain advantage
hedgy
vscagy
8.8

Does not give clear answers and avoids commitment

is more directly about hiding facts and feelings for advantage or safety

Antonyms

702 1.0

Willing to consider new ideas

104 3.4

Open and honest when giving opinions or feelings

How Guarded

tight-lipped
18 5.7
secretive
71 4.9
cagy
7.8
guarded
4.9
reserved
3.7
open
702 1.0

Surface Forms

cagy positive
cagier comparative
cagiest superlative

Etymology

Cagy comes from the idea of a cage, a place to keep something locked. So a cagy person keeps their thoughts 'locked up' and is careful about giving information.