uncanny

[uhn-kan-ee]

adjective

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

   uncanny accuracy; an uncanny knack of foreseeing trouble.

2. mysterious; arousing superstitious fear or dread; uncomfortably strange.

   Uncanny sounds filled the house.

   Synonyms: odd, preternatural
   Antonyms: natural, ordinary

uncanny

/ ʌnˈkænɪ /

adjective

1. characterized by apparently supernatural wonder, horror, etc

2. beyond what is normal or expected

   an uncanny accuracy

Other Word Forms

• uncannily adverb
• uncanniness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncanny¹

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

Synonym Study

See weird.

Example Sentences

Birthdays have an uncanny ability to turn us into the worst versions of ourselves.

Read more on MarketWatch

Walk around it, and the shifting, light-reflective and -absorbent white forms create an uncanny illusion of the pillar in jumpy, unstable motion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It was uncanny to see how Old Timothy’s cooing voice acted upon the villain.

Read more on Literature

But it has an uncanny talent for being charming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But that appears to be changing with the likes of Optimus and sleeker droids which edge us closer to living in an uncanny valley.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• astonishing 
• astounding 
• eerie 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• fantastic 
• incredible 
• magical 
• miraculous 
• remarkable 
• singular 
• spooky 
• superhuman 
• supernatural