Synonyms

uncanny

American

[uhn-kan-ee] / ʌnˈkæn i /

adjective

having or seeming to have a supernatural or inexplicable basis; beyond the ordinary or normal; extraordinary.

uncanny accuracy; an uncanny knack of foreseeing trouble.
mysterious; arousing superstitious fear or dread; uncomfortably strange.

Uncanny sounds filled the house.

Synonyms:

odd, preternatural

Antonyms:

natural, ordinary

uncanny British

/ ʌnˈkænɪ /

adjective

characterized by apparently supernatural wonder, horror, etc
beyond what is normal or expected

an uncanny accuracy

"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

Related Words

See weird.

Other Word Forms

uncannily adverb
uncanniness noun

Etymology

Origin of uncanny

First recorded in 1590–1600; un- ¹ + canny

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sets are not sophisticated, the actors are mostly novices, and the AI-driven scenes can feel uncanny under scrutiny.

From BBC

Southern Guild has brought together a captivatingly uncanny selection of works.

From The Wall Street Journal

He added: "The homely comfy environment like a chip shop that people are familiar with, and nostalgic old-school graphics really helps lean into an uncanny dreamlike feeling."

From BBC

In some respects he is a flawed keeper, especially under crosses, but has that uncanny, priceless habit of making stunning match-winning saves that makes up for other failings.

From BBC

While I’ve always felt closer to Mom, Dad has an uncanny ability to know how I’m feeling without asking.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023