cranny

American  

[kran-ee] / ˈkræn i /

noun

plural

crannies

1. a small, narrow opening in a wall, rock, etc.; chink; crevice; fissure.

   They searched every nook and cranny for the missing ring.

2. a small out-of-the-way place or obscure corner; nook.

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cranny British  

/ ˈkrænɪ /

noun

1. a narrow opening, as in a wall or rock face; chink; crevice (esp in the phrase every nook and cranny )

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cranny Idioms  

1. see nook and cranny.

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Other Word Forms

• crannied adjective

Etymology

Origin of cranny

1400–50; late Middle English crany, perhaps < Middle French crené, past participle of crener to notch, groove; crenel

Example Sentences

The film makes fantastic use of its single shooting location, tucking horror into every last nook and cranny of this potentially haunted house.

From Salon

BCP finance councillor Mike Cox said the council was "looking at every nook and cranny" as it attempted to tackle a £9m budget shortfall.

From BBC

A few customers place their unwanted wares in shopping bags, which they hide in the nooks and crannies beside their houses.

From The Wall Street Journal

It continues: “The cottage exudes old world charm with wooden walls, built-in bookshelves, a window with diamond mullions, and many nooks and crannies while still offering modern amenities for today’s living.”

From MarketWatch

Inspired by cinema setpieces and centuries-old European cottages, architects designed playful homes with turrets and gables on the outside and nooks and crannies on the inside.

From Los Angeles Times