uncanny
Uncanny (adj) means Strange in a way that feels unsettling or almost supernatural. Example: “There was an uncanny silence in the house after everyone left.”
How to Use Uncanny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo strange or eerily precise that it feels almost impossible to explain naturally.
Word Forms
uncannier comparative, uncanniest superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was an _____ silence in the house after everyone left.
Etymology
From un- + canny ("knowing, familiar") — literally "beyond what is familiar or knowable." The related noun sense translates Sigmund Freud's German term unheimlich, popularised in his 1919 essay "Das Unheimliche."
Rhymes for uncanny
See all rhymes for uncanny →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “uncanny” mean?
The word “uncanny” means strange in a way that feels unsettling or almost supernatural. In plain terms, so strange or eerily precise that it feels almost impossible to explain naturally.
How do you pronounce “uncanny”?
“Uncanny” is pronounced uhn-KA-nee (/ʌnˈkæni/ in IPA).
How do you use “uncanny” in a sentence?
Here is “uncanny” used in a sentence: “There was an uncanny silence in the house after everyone left.”
What part of speech is “uncanny”?
“Uncanny” is an adjective.
Where does the word “uncanny” come from?
The word “uncanny” dates back to around 1919 and comes from German. From un- + canny ("knowing, familiar") — literally "beyond what is familiar or knowable." The related noun sense translates Sigmund Freud's German term unheimlich, popularised in his 1919 essay "Das Unheimliche.".
Is “uncanny” a common word?
“Uncanny” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
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