cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined

cagey

adjective

ca·gey

ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition

hesitant about committing oneself //officials are cagey about giving out details
wary of being trapped or deceived shrewd //a cagey consumer
marked by cleverness //a cagey reply

Other Words

cagily ˈkā-jə-lē adverb
caginess or less commonly cageyness ˈkā-jē-nəs noun

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily

Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning

Examples

//a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
//when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

origin unknown

cagey

adjective

variants: also cagy

Synonyms & Antonyms

clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means //a cagey old politician who is exceptionally skilled at getting federal money for his district
Synonyms

artful beguiling crafty cunning cute designing devious dodgy [chiefly British] foxy guileful scheming shrewd slick sly subtle tricky wily
Related Words

astute facile glib sharp
crooked deceitful deceptive dishonest fraudulent insinuating knavish Machiavellian oblique serpentine shady shifty slippery sneaky treacherous underhand underhanded unscrupulous
backhanded double-dealing hypocritical insincere left-handed mealy mealymouthed smooth-tongued two-faced
circuitous circular roundabout
clandestine concealed covert furtive hugger-mugger secret stealthy surreptitious undercover
calculating plotting
Near Antonyms

obvious open patent plain public unconcealed
aboveboard candid direct forthright frank honest natural outspoken plainspoken real simple sincere straightforward unaffected unpretending unpretentious unvarnished
childlike impressionable simpleminded unsophisticated unworldly
unforced unstudied
trustful trusting
Antonyms

artless guileless ingenuous innocent undesigning
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty //when it came time to sign the contract, he suddenly got cagey about taking on the job
Synonyms

disinclined dubious hesitant indisposed loath (also loth or loathe) reluctant reticent
Related Words

uneager unenthusiastic
averse unwilling
ambivalent conflicted doubtful faltering halting indecisive infirm irresolute questioning skeptical uncertain undecided unsure vacillating wobbly (also wabbly)
fainthearted shy timid
Near Antonyms

eager enthusiastic glad happy keen
ready willing
certain decided determined resolute sure unquestioning
Antonyms

disposed inclined