canny

[kan-ee]

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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.

Origin of canny

First recorded in 1630–40; can¹ + -y¹

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for cannily

meanly, miserly, greedily, parsimoniously, stingily

Examples from the Web for cannily

Contemporary Examples of cannily

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
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

Historical Examples of cannily

The doctor was called, and cannily solved the problem with a buttered shoe-horn.
Dear Enemy
Jean Webster
Ive forgotten most of it, Cletus said, cannily dodging the trap.
Satan and the Comrades
Ralph Bennitt
On one occasion only he cannily indemnified his narrative for this drawback.
The Cloister and the Hearth
Charles Reade
To one who knows that neighbourhood the picture is cannily vivid.
Shandygaff
Christopher Morley
"Some of 'em my people, too, Mas' John," he cannily observed.
Lady Baltimore
Owen Wister

British Dictionary definitions for cannily

canny

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 Formscannily, 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

Word Origin and History for cannily

canny

adj.

1630s, Scottish and northern English formation from can (v.1) in its sense of "know how to," + -y (2). "Knowing," hence, "careful." A doublet of cunning that flowed into distinct senses. Often used superciliously of Scots by their southern neighbors (and their American cousins).

The Canny Scot is so well known as scarcely to require description. He carries caution, cunning, and selfishness to excess. Deceitful when a purpose is to be accomplished, he is not habitually deceitful. One thing he never loses sight of--his own interest. But of his own interest he is not the most enlightened judge. ["The Natural History of Scotsmen," in "The Argosy," December 1865]

Related: Cannily; canniness.