If you say that someone is being cagey about something, you mean that you think they are deliberately not giving you much information or expressing an opinion about it.
He is cagey about what he was paid for the business. [+ about]
Synonyms: guarded, reserved, careful, cautious More Synonyms of cagey
cagily (keɪdʒɪli)graded adverb
Smart reacted cagily when Chelsea were mentioned.
cagey in British English
or cagy (ˈkeɪdʒɪ)
adjectiveWord forms: -ier or -iest
informal
not open or frank; cautious; wary
Derived forms
cagily (ˈcagily)
adverb
caginess (ˈcaginess) or cageyness (ˈcageyness) or cagyness (ˈcagyness)
noun
Word origin
C20: of unknown origin
cagey in American English
(ˈkeɪdʒi), ˈcagy (ˈkeɪdʒi)
US
adjectiveWord forms: ˈcagier or ˈcagiest Informal
1.
sly; tricky; cunning
2.
careful not to get caught or fooled
Derived forms
cagily (ˈcagily)
adverb
caginess (ˈcaginess)
noun
Examples of 'cagey' in a sentence
cagey
The first half was cagey with four penalties the only scores on the board.
The Sun (2016)
It was a cagey old affair.
The Sun (2015)
Chances were at a premium in a cagey first half ruined by high winds and a total inability to mount dangerous attacks.
The Sun (2014)
Big games will remain tight, cagey affairs.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I actually told him about the nomination and he was a bit cagey about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
After a cagey opening Ireland settled.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
FROM one cagey, cautious display to another.
The Sun (2008)
The Champions League is always a bit cagey.
The Sun (2012)
With so much on the line I expect the games to be very cagey, tactical affairs for the first hour or so.
The Sun (2014)
(adjective)
Definition
reluctant to go into details
(informal)
He is cagey about what he was paid for his business.
Synonyms
guarded
The boy gave him a guarded reply.
reserved
He was unemotional and reserved.
careful
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
cautious
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
restrained
wary
Keep a wary eye on children when they are playing near water.
discreet
He followed at a discreet distance.
shrewd
She's a shrewd businesswoman.
a shrewd guess
wily
He is an experienced and wily old statesman.
reticent
She is so reticent about her achievements.
noncommittal
I've got a nasty feeling that I shall get a very bland non-committal answer.
chary
Some people are rather chary of being associated with him.
Opposites
reckless
,
careless
,
unwary
,
indiscreet
,
unthinking
,
imprudent
Additional synonyms
in the sense of careful
Definition
cautious in attitude or action
One has to be extremely careful when dealing with these people.
Synonyms
cautious,
painstaking,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
circumspect,
punctilious (formal),
chary,
heedful,
thoughtful,
discreet
in the sense of cautious
Definition
showing or having caution
Mr King clearly has a cautious approach to change.
Synonyms
careful,
guarded,
alert,
wary,
discreet,
tentative,
prudent,
vigilant,
watchful,
judicious,
circumspect,
cagey (informal),
on your toes,
chary,
belt-and-braces,
keeping a weather eye on,
heedful
in the sense of chary
Definition
wary or careful
Some people are rather chary of being associated with him.