cagey — reluctant to give information owing to caution or suspicion; wary and circumspect
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: reluctant to give information owing to caution or suspicion; wary and circumspect
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkeɪdʒi/
Example Sentences
- The celebrity was cagey when reporters asked about her secret wedding.
- Why are you being so cagey about where you hid my birthday present?
- The witness became cagey when questioned about his whereabouts that night.
cagey
ADJECTIVE[/ˈkeɪdʒi/]
reluctant to give information owing to caution or suspicion; wary and circumspect
a shifty-eyed suspect sits with crossed arms, looking away from a detective who leans forward asking questions. The suspect's body language shows clear reluctance as they avoid eye contact and keep their mouth tightly shut. The detective points to evidence on the table, clearly trying to get answers. The suspect responds by shrugging and turning their head even further away, refusing to cooperate. Other officers watch through a one-way mirror, frustrated by the lack of progress. someone being reluctant to give information owing to caution and suspicion
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the 1890s, derived from 'cage' meaning an enclosure for birds or animals. The word captures the cautious, wary behavior of a caged animal that remains alert and suspicious of its surroundings.
Breakdown
cage (enclosure for animals) + -y (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The celebrity was cagey when reporters asked about her secret wedding.”
“Why are you being so cagey about where you hid my birthday present?”
“The witness became cagey when questioned about his whereabouts that night.”
“My cat gets cagey whenever I bring out the pet carrier.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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