Pronunciation: [lˈi͡əɹi] (IPA) 
The word "leery" is spelled with two e's, but it is pronounced with just one syllable. According to IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /lɪəri/. The "ee" in the spelling represents the "i" sound in the word, while the "e" at the end of the word is silent. "Leery" is an adjective that means suspicious or wary, often used to describe someone who is hesitant to trust something or someone.
The adjective "leery" refers to being cautious, skeptical, or suspicious about someone or something. It describes a state of wariness or a lack of trust towards a particular situation, person, or action. When someone is leery, they exhibit a hesitation or reluctance to fully embrace or believe in something, often due to a sense of potential danger or dishonesty. They may display a guarded attitude, taking precautions or actively seeking more information before making a decision.
The term "leery" is commonly used to describe an individual's cautious approach towards new acquaintances, unfamiliar circumstances, or propositions that may seem too good to be true. It implies that one is not easily swayed or convinced without a certain level of scrutiny or evidence. For example, a person may be leery about entering into a business deal with an unknown company if they have heard rumors of unethical practices.
Furthermore, "leery" can also refer to a feeling of suspicion or unease caused by past negative experiences. It indicates that a person has learned from previous encounters and is now more watchful or skeptical of similar situations.
Overall, "leery" conveys an attitude of wariness, caution, and skepticism towards others or certain scenarios, illustrating a desire to protect oneself from potential harm or deception.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "leery" is derived from the Middle English term "lere", which means "empty" or "idle". Over time, "lere" evolved to "leery", solidifying its modern meaning of being cautious, suspicious, or wary. The exact linguistic pathway from "lere" to "leery" is not entirely clear, but the term has been in use since the 18th century.
