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View synonyms for canny

canny

[ kan-ee ]

adjective

, can·ni·er, can·ni·est.
  1. a canny reply.

  2. a canny negotiator.

  3. a canny housewife.

  4. 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

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Derived Forms

  • ˈcannily, adverb
  • ˈcanniness, noun

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Other Words From

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of canny1

First recorded in 1580–90; can 1 + -y 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of canny1

C16: from can 1(in the sense: to know how) + -y 1

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Example Sentences

Ever canny if uninspiring, John Boehner admitted as much in his recent remarks.

But he was a canny political operator, far less ideological and more coldly pragmatic than proponents liked to admit.

A wavering, but canny Wehrmacht General Dietrich von Choltitz finally surrendered it on August 25.

That is admirable, and Preserve is clever, or at least canny.

All of it is so canny we can only wonder why no one had said these things before.

Keen and canny, they drive a close bargain but, scrupulous and conscientious, fulfil it faithfully.

He is a steady lad,’ your father said, ‘and a canny goer; and I doubt not he will come safe, and be well liked where he goes.

After three years, during which he served me very faithfully, I transferred him to a Frenchman, Mr. Canny by name.'

The august name of Wilkins's was in its essence so exclusive that vast numbers of fairly canny provincials had never heard of it.

It had been mischievously started by Muriel and smilingly declined by three canny freshmen.

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cannulateCanoas