Spanish Conversation · Level 88
60 words
Spanish word
receloso
Pronunciation
IPA/reθeˈloso/
Meaning
- adjectivesuspicious
Example
No confío en él; estoy receloso.
I don't trust him; I'm suspicious.
More examples
Al escuchar rumores, me puse receloso.
On hearing rumors, I became suspicious.
Core concept
Someone folding arms and glancing sideways with guarded eyes.
Common phrases
ponerse receloso
become suspicious
estar receloso ante
be suspicious of
ser receloso con alguien
be suspicious of someone
Similar words
desconfiado: Generally reluctant to trust others' words or actions, showing habitual mistrust.
suspicaz: Quick to notice small odd details and infer possible hidden intent.
cauto: Carefully watches and delays judgment, avoiding hasty decisions.
Definition in Spanish
Que no confía fácilmente en las intenciones de los demás y actúa con cautela.
Word origin
Formed by adding the adjectival suffix -oso to recelar ('to distrust or be wary'), giving the sense 'disposed to suspect'.
Usage tips
- Often used with estar (estar receloso) to mark a current feeling, while desconfiado more often labels a distrustful personality.
Other meanings
- waryadjective
- skepticaladjective
Opposites
- confiadotrustingadjective
- seguroconfidentadjective
Related words
- recelarsuspectverb
- recelossuspicionnoun
- recelosamentewarilyadverb