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

The history of that erasure is a fascinating subplot of this book, as Kennedy traces the way generations of canny American women have been denied credit and profit and glory for their brainchildren. —Cindi Leive, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025

Cha Joo-young, who previously appeared in The Glory, gracefully portrays the canny iron-willed Queen Won-gyeong. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

Harold Prince staged the original 1978 production at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, produced by Robert Stigwood in association with the canny David Land. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025

Adams was booked for a canny professional foul which choked the visitors’ attempts to get back into the game. —Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

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