canny

[ kan-ee ]

/ ˈkæn i /

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See synonyms for: canny / canniness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, can·ni·er, can·ni·est.

careful; cautious; prudent: a canny reply.

astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious: a canny negotiator.

skilled; expert.

frugal; thrifty: a canny housewife.

Scot.

safe to deal with, invest in, or work at (usually used with a negative).
gentle; careful; steady.
snug; cozy; comfortable.
pleasing; attractive.
Archaic. having supernatural or occult powers.

adverb Also can·ni·ly.

in a canny manner.

Scot. carefully; cautiously.

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Origin of canny

First recorded in 1580–90; can¹ + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM canny

can·ni·ness, nouno·ver·can·ny, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use canny in a sentence

Perhaps you like your Neil Patrick Harris belting in high heels on Broadway, or cannily emceeing an awards show?
Choose Your Own Neil Patrick Harris: The Star on ‘Doogie,’ ‘Gone Girl,’ Gay Sex and More|Kevin Fallon|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Willimon cannily structures the episodes of House of Cards in a more naturalistic fashion than traditional television.
‘House of Cards’: Should You Binge-Watch Netflix’s Political Drama?|Jace Lacob|February 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The tribute cannily summed up the trend of the night: strong women rule.
Golden Globes 2013: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey & More Best Moments (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And he had the money—four millions and more, cannily saved from the crash that had ruined so many others.
The Escape of Mr. Trimm|Irvin S. Cobb

Ba but, I promise, I promise that that what what is chased is chased big and cannily and little little is big too big best.
Matisse Picasso and Gertrude Stein|Gertrude Stein
Circle cannily round the horse to the left; here at last is something like a slope.
From Capetown to Ladysmith|G. W. Steevens
"You've managed to get a good deal of it without looking for it, then," retorted the superintendent cannily.
The Shrieking Pit|Arthur J. Rees
Could he afford to play the safe game and wait until the building capital should be cannily in Mr. Magnus' bank vaults?
Empire Builders|Francis Lynde

British Dictionary definitions for canny

canny

/ (ˈkænɪ) /

adjective -nier or -niest

shrewd, esp in business; astute or wary; knowing

Scot and Northeast English dialect good or nice: used as a general term of approval

Scot lucky or fortunate

adverb

Scot and Northeast English dialect quite; rathera canny long while

Derived forms of canny

cannily, adverbcanniness, noun

Word Origin for canny

C16: from can 1 (in the sense: to know how) + -y 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

canny

Origin of canny

OTHER WORDS FROM canny

Words related to canny

How to use canny in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for canny

Derived forms of canny

Word Origin for canny