cagey

Meaning

1. Wary, careful, shrewd.
2. Uncommunicative; unwilling or hesitant to give information.

Synonyms

canny

crafty

astute

sly

shrewd

wily

sharp

foxy

cunning

cautious

artful

calculating

cagy

dodgy

nimble

shifty

skillful

tricky

clever

leery

guarded

chary

wary

reserved

ingenious

intelligent

knowing

vulpine

parlous

perfidious

politic

prudent

restrained

reticent

secretive

alert

sharp-witted

brainy

watchful

awake

smart

spiffy

suspicious

tightlipped

tight-lipped

aloof

unapproachable

conservative

cute

discreet

deceitful

distrustful

uncommunicative

careful

hardheaded

incommunicative

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkeɪd͡ʒi/

Etymology

Initially US colloquial, of unknown origin. A connection with the behavior of caged prisoners (wary and closed-lipped) and caged animals (wary) has been speculated. If correct, then equivalent to cage + -y.