Cagey: meaning, definitions and examples

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cagey

 

[ หˆkeษชdส’i ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

attitude, behavior

Cagey refers to being cautious or evasive, especially in a way that suggests a desire to hide one's thoughts or intentions. It often describes someone who is reluctant to give information or who avoids direct answers.

Synonyms

evasive, guarded, reserved, secretive

Examples of usage

  • He was cagey about his financial situation.
  • The politician gave a cagey response to the question.
  • She remained cagey, not revealing her plans.

Translations

Translations of the word "cagey" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cauteloso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคคเฅเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช vorsichtig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hati-hati

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะฑะตั€ะตะถะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ostroลผny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็”จๅฟƒๆทฑใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท prudent

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cauteloso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท dikkatli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์กฐ์‹ฌ์Šค๋Ÿฌ์šด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญุฐุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ opatrnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ opatrnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฐๅฟƒ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prizanes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ varkรกr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐา›ั‚ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ˜แƒœแƒแƒแƒฆแƒ›แƒ“แƒ”แƒ’แƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ diqqษ™tli

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cauteloso

Etymology

The word 'cagey' originated in the late 19th century, in American English. It is believed to be a variant of the word 'cage', which is related to the concept of being confined or restricted. The implication of being 'cagey' is that a person may feel trapped or vulnerable, prompting them to withhold information or act cautiously. The 'y' suffix may have been added to suggest a quality, similar to other descriptive adjectives. Thus, 'cagey' conveys not just wariness but also a sense of protectiveness of oneโ€™s own thoughts and feelings. The term has evolved to encompass broader meanings of shrewdness and craftiness, often noted in discussions of business and politics.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,596, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.