# leery

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈlɪəɹi/ · frequency rank #48,321

## Definitions
1. Cautious, suspicious, wary, hesitant, or nervous about something; having reservations or concerns.
2. Sly; artful; knowing.
3. Leering; lecherous or unpleasant.

## Etymology
First attested in 1718, “untrustful, suspicious”, either from leer (“sideward look”) + -y, lear (“learning, knowledge”) + -y. More at leer, lear.

## Easily confused with
- **ley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-ley)
- **levy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-levy)
- **lees** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lees)
- **lever** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lever)
- **Lenny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lenny)
- **Leroy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-leroy)
- **lowry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lowry)
- **lefty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lefty)
- **lorry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lorry)
- **leper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-leper)
- **leger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-leger)
- **livery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-livery)
- **leeway** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-leeway)
- **lowery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lowery)
- **lepers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leery-vs-lepers)
- **lee** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lee-vs-leery)
- **lear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lear-vs-leery)
- **leek** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leek-vs-leery)
- **leed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leed-vs-leery)
- **leer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leer-vs-leery)

## Common misspellings (7)
`elery`, `leerry`, `leeryy`, `leeyr`, `lerey`, `lery`, `lleery`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/leery