canny

1 of 2

adjective

can·​ny ˈka-nē 

cannier; canniest

1

: clever, shrewd

a canny lawyer

also : prudent

canny investments

2

chiefly Scotland

a

: careful, steady

also : restrained

b

: quiet, snug

then canny, in some cozy place, they close the day

—Robert Burns

cannily

ˈka-nə-lē 

adverb

canniness

ˈka-nē-nəs 

noun

canny

2 of 2

adverb

Scotland

: in a canny manner : carefully

Synonyms

Adjective

• astute
• clear-eyed
• clear-sighted
• hard-boiled
• hardheaded
• heady
• knowing
• savvy
• sharp
• sharp-witted
• shrewd
• smart

Examples of canny in a Sentence

Adjective

a canny card player, good at psyching out his opponents

warm and canny under the woolen bedcovers, we didn't mind the chilly Scottish nights

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When, after the post-war years of austerity and misery, the country established itself once again in the 1960s as a world power to be reckoned with, thanks to the dual strengths of the canny Prime Minister Harold Wilson and the telegenic young Queen. —Alexander Larman, TIME, 5 May 2024

Pop culture is most fascinating as a mirror reflecting us and the people who make it, and Ripley has provided unnervingly canny reflections. —Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

originally Scots & regional northern English, going back to early Scots, "free from risk, sagacious, prudent, cautious," probably from can "ability" (noun derivative of can can entry 1) + -y -y entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1786, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

canny

adjective

can·​ny

ˈkan-ē

cannier; canniest

: watchful of one's own interest

cannily

ˈkan-ᵊl-ē

adverb

canniness

ˈkan-ē-nəs

noun