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
World & Nation Chinese President Xi’s trip to Europe: ‘Charm offensive’ or canny bid to divide the West?—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024 His wife, Emily, encouraged his obsession and became his canny collaborator.—Andrea Mays, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for canny
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 cancan entry 1) + -y-y entry 1
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