If you describe someone as guarded, you mean that they are careful not to show their feelings or give away information. The boy gave him a guarded look In the office, Dr. Lahey seemed less guarded, more relaxed. + guardedly guard·ed·ly `I am happy, so far,' he says guardedly They are guardedly optimistic that the market is on the road to recovery. not giving very much information or showing your feelings about something = cautious