Definition

Adjective: 1. Cautious and unwilling to give clear or direct information: Characterized by being very careful, secretive, or non-committal, often to avoid revealing one's thoughts, feelings, or intentions. 2. Shrewd and self-interested: Showing cleverness and a sharp awareness of one's own advantage in dealings with others.

Examples

• The politician was cagey when asked about his future plans, giving only vague answers.
• She's been very cagey about where she was last night.
• As a cagey negotiator, he never reveals his bottom line first.

Advanced Usage

• To be cagey about something: This is the most common construction, indicating what specific information a person is being secretive about.
  • He was cagey about the details of the contract.
• A cagey response/answer/reply: Used to describe the non-committal nature of the communication itself.
  • The company's spokesperson gave a cagey reply to the allegations.

Variants and Related Words

• Cagy: An alternative spelling of "cagey."
• Cagily (adverb): In a cagey manner.
  • He answered cagily, avoiding the main question.
• Caginess (noun): The quality of being cagey.
  • Her caginess made the reporters suspicious.

Synonyms

• Guarded: Very careful not to give away information.
• Non-committal: Not expressing a clear opinion or decision.
• Evasive: Tending to avoid giving direct answers.
• Wary: Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
• Shrewd: Having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.

Related Idioms

• To play one's cards close to one's chest: This idiom is very similar in meaning to being cagey, implying secrecy about one's intentions or resources.
  • We don't know his strategy; he's playing his cards close to his chest.

Adjective

1. characterized by great caution and wariness
   • a cagey avoidance of a definite answer
   • chary of the risks involved
   • a chary investor
2. showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
   • a cagey lawyer
   • too clever to be sound