English vocabulary · B2
Cagey
/ˈkeɪdʒi/ · adj.
Someone is cagey when they do not give a clear answer. They hide what they know, so you keep asking but learn nothing.
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Example sentences
- He grew cagey and hid the key.
- Her cagey smile stopped questions.
Word origin and roots
- origin — unknown
Synonyms and nuances
- GUARDED — careful about what is shared (Keeps Details Back)
- WARY — careful because danger may come (Does Not Trust Yet)
- EVASIVE — does not answer directly (Avoids The Question)
Similar words
- guarded
- wary
- evasive
Lesson notes
Someone is cagey when they do not give a clear answer. They hide what they know, so you keep asking but learn nothing.
Related: guarded, wary, evasive. Use cagey when answers stay hidden.
He grew cagey and hid the key. Her cagey smile stopped questions.
Cagey's origin is unknown. It appeared in English around 1896. A closed face can make one simple question feel much bigger.