adj
canny
KA-nee
Canny (adj) means Shrewd and clever, especially in practical or business matters. Example: “She's a canny negotiator who always gets a good price.”
adj
1
Shrewd and clever, especially in practical or business matters.
"She's a canny negotiator who always gets a good price."
"His canny investment decisions paid off over the years."
2
British dialect, especially Northern English and Scots: pleasant, nice, or considerable.
"That was a canny bit of work, lad."
How to use canny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCleverly practical and shrewd — good at spotting the smart move.
Common pairings
canny investor
canny move
canny operator
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Word forms
- Comparative
- cannier
- Superlative
- canniest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She's a _____ negotiator who always gets a good price.
Etymology
From Northern English dialect, built on "can" in the old sense "to know how to," related to Old English cunnan.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for canny
See all rhymes for canny →Frequently asked questions
What does “canny” mean?
The word “canny” means shrewd and clever, especially in practical or business matters. In plain terms, cleverly practical and shrewd — good at spotting the smart move.
How do you pronounce “canny”?
“Canny” is pronounced KA-nee (/ˈkæni/ in IPA).
How do you use “canny” in a sentence?
Here is “canny” used in a sentence: “She's a canny negotiator who always gets a good price.”
What part of speech is “canny”?
“Canny” is an adjective.
Where does the word “canny” come from?
The word “canny” comes from Old English. From Northern English dialect, built on "can" in the old sense "to know how to," related to Old English cunnan.
How many meanings does “canny” have?
“Canny” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shrewd and clever, especially in practical or business matters.
