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View synonyms for

canny

[ kan-ee ]

adjective

cannier, canniest.
  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

/ ˈæɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. dialect.
    quite; rather

    a canny long while

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԲԾ, adverb
  • ˈԲԾԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • n·Ա noun
  • v·n 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Elinor and her posse deserve more fulfilling lives, and with the help of canny Madame Restell, they manage to make their dreams come true on their own terms.

From

She argues Reeves is canny and it is her values that make her Labour.

From

He was always a canny businessman with an eye for a deal.

From

each of us sees when we look at him — a dangerous whipsaw of insane rhetoric and diabolic intent or a canny businessman who just wants what’s best for Americans — increasingly defines us.

From

Cummins in particular was superb and hostile, as India struggled to deal with his canny changes in length.

From

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cannulateCanoas