cranny

noun

cran·​ny ˈkra-nē 

plural crannies

1

: a small break or slit : crevice

2

: an obscure nook or corner

crannied

ˈkra-nēd 

adjective

Synonyms

• check
• chink
• cleft
• crack
• crevice
• fissure
• rift
• split

Examples of cranny in a Sentence

We saw strange, colorful creatures in the crannies of the reef while scuba diving.

We explored every cranny of the old castle.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wood Sidey recommends using water and wild dish soap with a soft bristle brush to get into the grooves as a porous material with lots of nooks and crannies. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2025

What's left of Hungary's free press can be found in nooks and crannies that dot the capital. —Rob Schmitz, NPR, 20 Apr. 2025

The nonstick coating also ensures that neither a corner nor a crumb sticks to the pan’s many nooks and crannies, which also makes cleanup a breeze. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Their abiding need for privacy may have played a part in what has proved my productive and profitable indifference to it: a willingness to share and display all the psychological nooks and naked crannies of my life. —Geoff Dyer, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crany, from Middle French cren, cran notch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cranny

• every nook and cranny

Rhymes for cranny

• canny
• fanny
• grannie
• granny
• nannie
• nanny
• tympani
• uncanny

Kids Definition

cranny

noun

cran·​ny ˈkran-ē 

plural crannies

: a small break or slit (as in a cliff)