carny

or car·ney

[ kahr-nee ]

noun

, plural car·nies.

1. a person employed by a carnival.
2. carnival ( def 1 ).

adjective

1. of or relating to carnivals:

   carny slang.

carny

¹

/ ˈkɑːnɪ /

verb

1. informal.
   to coax or cajole or act in a wheedling manner

carny

²

/ ˈkɑːnɪ /

noun

1. short for carnival
2. a person who works in a carnival

Word History and Origins

Origin of carny¹

First recorded in 1930–35; carn(ival) + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of carny¹

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Hollywood came calling, and Robertson was cast as a lead in the 1980 film “Carny,” which he also produced.

From Los Angeles Times

During preproduction, Robertson leapt from producer to star, appearing alongside Jodie Foster and Gary Busey in the 1980 film “Carny.”

From Los Angeles Times

Director “Baz Luhrmann wanted the carny world to provide an enticing location for Parker to cast his spell.”

From Los Angeles Times

I’m a carny, and I’ve left the tent.

From Seattle Times

Combining old-fashioned practicality with the shameless hustle of a sideshow carny and driven by a narcissistic thirst for attention, Davis, who patented the body armor in the early 1970s, certainly makes for a timely protagonist.

From Los Angeles Times