2 syllables: Cha, ry. Stress on Cha.
CHAH-ree
/ˈtʃɑɹi/
Chary is pronounced CHAH-ree (/ˈtʃɑɹi/). It has two syllables (Cha-ry), with the stress on "Cha". Chary is an adverb meaning cautiously or warily, often implying a healthy reluctance to take risks. It conveys a careful, prudential stance, typically before acting or judging. In usage, it suggests guarded restraint rather than boldness or openness, and can also mean mindful of potential danger or consequences.
adverbChary is an adverb meaning cautiously or warily, often implying a healthy reluctance to take risks. It conveys a careful, prudential stance, typically before acting or judging. In usage, it suggests guarded restraint rather than boldness or openness, and can also mean mindful of potential danger or consequences.
"She was chary of making promises until she had all the facts."
"Investors remained chary after the market volatility."
"He was chary about divulging personal information online."
Chary is pronounced with two syllables: /ˈtʃɑː.ri/ in US and UK dictionaries, with the first syllable stressed. In American accents you’ll often hear /ˈtʃæ.ɹi/ in rapid speech, but careful enunciation uses the long-a /ɑː/ split in tightly enunciated contexts. Mouth position: start with /tʃ/ as in 'chip', open jaw for /ɑː/ or /æ/ depending on the accent, then a light /ɹ/ or /ɪ/ ending. For clarity-: /ˈtʃɑː.ɹi/ (US) and /ˈtʃæ.ɹi/ (UK, some US). Audio references: you can listen on Pronounce or Forvo to hear regional variants.
Common mistakes: 1) Slurring the syllables into one, making it sound like ‘chary’ with a short /æ/ instead of the /ɑː/ or /æ/ depending on accent. 2) Dropping the final /i/ sound, leading to /tʃɑːr/ or /tʃæɹ/. 3) Misplacing stress, saying /tʃəˈri/ or /ˈtʃaɹ.i/ with incorrect stress. Correction: emphasize the first syllable with clear /tʃ/ onset and either /ɑː/ or /æ/ vowel, then a distinct /ri/ with the /ɹ/ sound. Practice slow, then speed up while keeping vowel quality. Listen to native speakers and mimic their vowel length and rhythm.
US tends toward /ˈtʃɑː.ɹi/ or /ˈtʃæ.ɹi/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a longer first vowel; UK often uses /ˈtʃær.i/ with a shorter /æ/ and a non-rhotic or reduced /ɹ/ in some dialects; Australian tends to /ˈtʃæɹ.i/ with a clear /ɹ/ and a somewhat centralized vowel in the first syllable. The key differences are vowel quality (ɑː vs æ) and rhoticity, plus slight reductions in fast speech. Listen to accent-specific examples on Pronounce and YouGlish to feel the nuance.
Chary challenges two phonetic aspects: the vowel length in the first syllable (ɑː vs æ) and the rapid, smooth blend from /tʃ/ to the vowel to the /ɹ/ ending. Non-native speakers often misplace stress or merge the syllables, producing /ˈtʃari/ or /ˈtʃɑri/ with a short first vowel. Mastery requires careful articulation of the initial affricate /tʃ/, maintaining a clean vowel, and a precise light /ɹ/ in coda position. Practicing with minimal pairs helps solidify the rhythm between syllables.
A unique aspect is the potential variation in the first vowel length between dialects: US speakers may favor a longer /ɑː/ in careful speech, while UK speakers might opt for a shorter /æ/ depending on region. The presence of a final unstressed /i/ requires a clear but light glide, avoiding an overtly strong /i/. Attention to the precise onset /tʃ/ and the subsequent vowel articulation, plus a crisp /ɹ/ in rhotic dialects, makes the word sound natural in native speech.
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Chary derives from the English adjective charted in Middle English as cherie/cheri meaning ‘wary, cautious,’ connected to the Old French chare/char: vigilant, careful. The modern sense consolidates in 16th–17th century English, aligning with phrases like ‘to be chary of’ meaning to be careful or reluctant. The word’s semantics emphasize prudence and risk aversion. The root connotes guarding, watching, or hedging one’s actions, and historically it developed under the influence of formal diction and legalistic registers, where caution was valued. Over time, the adverbial usage broadened to describe cautious behavior in everyday decisions, not just moral or legal matters. The first known written occurrences appear in early Modern English texts, with consistent usage by the 1600s in literature and formal prose, eventually embedding the meaning in modern idioms such as ‘to be chary of something’ or ‘to tread carefully.’ The evolution reflects social norms valuing prudence and risk management in personal and professional contexts, a tendency that persists in contemporary usage.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Chary" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Chary" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Chary"
-ary sounds
-rry sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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