uncanny
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for uncanny, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Strange in a way that feels unsettling or almost supernatural.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use uncanny
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
uncanny resemblance
uncanny accuracy
uncanny silence
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."
Full origin of 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.
