Canny

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkæni/
• Rhymes: -æni

Origin

Northern English dialect from can ("to know"), from Middle English can (""), first and third person singular of cunnen, connen ("to be able, know how to"), from Old English cunnan ("to know how to, be able to"). Compare Scots canny, Old English cann ("knowledge, assertion"). More at can, cunning.

Full definition of canny

Adjective

1. Careful, prudent, cautious.
2. Knowing, shrewd, astute.
3. Frugal, thrifty.
4. (Scotland, Northumbria) Pleasant, fair.She's a canny lass hor like!
5. (Northumbria) Very or much.That's a canny big horse, man!

Derived terms

• cannily
• canniness

Related terms

• uncanny (Note: In common modern usage, "canny" and "uncanny" are no longer antonyms.)

Anagrams

• nancy, Nancy