canny

[ kan-ee ]

adjective

, can·ni·er, can·ni·est.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcannily, adverb
• ˈcanniness, noun

Other Words From

• canni·ness noun
• over·canny adjective

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

"My accent has changed so much since starting at uni because i was getting comments if I said a word like 'canny'. They liked to point it out."

From BBC

It never condescends to Sisters Barnes and Paxton and they always have sound rebuttals at the ready; they are also observant, smart and canny.

From Los Angeles Times

Protected by a fortune from his father while playing the part of a canny real estate developer, Trump repeatedly bankrupted himself upward.

From Salon

The canny relaxing of rules meant Pacific islanders such as Jarome Luai and Jeremiah Nanai - currently involved with Samoa - could also play Origin, thus bolstering both assets with the top players.

From BBC

Shaffer provided just enough to unleash the formidable arsenals of two canny veterans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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