cagey

adjective

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ca·gey | \ ˈkā-jē

variants: or less commonly cagy

cagier; cagiest

Definition of cagey

1 : hesitant about committing oneself officials are cagey about giving out details

2a : wary of being trapped or deceived : shrewd a cagey consumer

b : marked by cleverness a cagey reply

Other Words from cagey Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About cagey

Other Words from cagey

cagily \ ˈkā-jə-lē

\ adverb

caginess or less commonly cageyness \ ˈkā-jē-nəs

\ noun

Examples of cagey in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web DeSantis has been extremely cagey when asked direct questions about his vaccination status. — Chris Cillizza, CNN, 5 Jan. 2022 The broader point here is that McCarthy has been VERY cagey about that January 6 phone call -- and there continues to be questions about whether Trump and McCarthy have spoken about the call since January 6. — Chris Cillizza, CNN, 18 May 2021 Biden and Clyburn have been longtime friends, but Clyburn stayed cagey in the days leading up to his endorsement announcement. — David Jackson, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2020 The Schuyler sisters provide the most beautiful voices in the production, with Krystal Joy Brown offering a poignant Eliza, and Mandy Gonzalez a smart and cagey Angelica. — Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Feb. 2020 Cote and Mark were pretty cagey when asked if Michael will be back. — Megan Stein, Country Living, 7 Jan. 2020 Quarterback Drew Lock looked like a cagey veteran and not a first-time NFL road starter, completing 22 of his 27 attempts for 309 yards and three touchdowns. — Ryan O’halloran, The Denver Post, 8 Dec. 2019 Mia is transformed from a cagey lone wolf into a woman with unlimited intense sympathy for another. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2020 Team director Ihab Lahita was cagey about his progress, saying there was no guarantee Salah will play in Egypt's Group A opener against Uruguay on Friday. — Afp, chicagotribune.com, 13 June 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cagey.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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cagework

cagey

cagged

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Cite this Entry

“Cagey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cagey. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for cagey

cagey

adjective

ca·gey | \ ˈkā-jē

cagier; cagiest

Kids Definition of cagey

1 : unwilling to act or speak in a direct or open way He was cagey about his intentions.

2 : clever in a tricky way … those cagey girls … managed … to have all the fun and leave him and their mother with all the work.— Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia