cranny

[ kran-ee ]

noun

, plural cran·nies.

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.

cranny

/ ˈkrænɪ /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcrannied, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranny¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cranny¹

C15: from Old French cran notch, fissure; compare crenel

Idioms and Phrases

see nook and cranny .

Example Sentences

Of all the human beings going about their daily business, in all the nooks and crannies on Earth, no-one is better placed than surfers to tell us something isn't right.

From BBC

“They have bused, flown, trained illegal immigrants to literally every nook and cranny and every tiny town in the whole of the United States.”

From Los Angeles Times

But in the nooks and crannies of this conference, there have been divisions - as there are in any party - and what to do about housing is one of the biggest.

From BBC

Just when we thought the show was done, the room went dark, techno boomed through every nook and cranny and the lighting turned a wash of red.

From Los Angeles Times

Beach naturalists will be stationed at several beaches — including Golden Gardens Park, Carkeek Park and Pocket Beach in the Olympic Sculpture Garden — ready to show people around the nooks and crannies.

From Seattle Times