canny

[kan-ee]

adjective

cannier, canniest 

1. careful; cautious; prudent.

   a canny reply.

2. astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious.

   a canny negotiator.

3. skilled; expert.

4. frugal; thrifty.

   a canny housewife.

5. Scot.

   1. safe to deal with, invest in, or work at (usually used with a negative).

   2. gentle; careful; steady.

   3. snug; cozy; comfortable.

   4. pleasing; attractive.

   5. Archaic.,  having supernatural or occult powers.

adverb

1. in a canny manner.

2. Scot.,  carefully; cautiously.

canny

/ ˈkænɪ /

adjective

1. shrewd, esp in business; astute or wary; knowing

2. dialect,  good or nice: used as a general term of approval

3. lucky or fortunate

adverb

1. dialect,  quite; rather

   a canny long while

Other Word Forms

• canniness noun
• overcanny adjective
• cannily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of canny¹

First recorded in 1580–90; can ¹ + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of canny¹

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

Example Sentences

The handling of this plot device, with the canny veteran Reid wandering in and out of the drama like an informational time bomb, is a little clumsy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The “Predator” franchise is only slightly younger than “Star Wars” but equally as canny when it comes to marketing to children.

Read more on Salon

Chenoweth, who is as gleaming as a holiday ornament on Liberace’s Christmas tree, arrives at a canny balance of quixotic generosity and parvenu carelessness in her portrayal of a woman she refuses to lampoon.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Political power still resides, for the moment, with current Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a canny operator whose principles and policies are notoriously difficult to pin down.

Read more on Salon

But it proved a canny political move - he climbed up the ladder rapidly and held multiple ministerial posts.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adroit 
• astute 
• cagey 
• cautious 
• discreet 
• frugal 
• ingenious 
• intelligent 
• judicious 
• prudent 
• shrewd 
• skillful 
• sly 
• subtle 
• wise