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

A canny pub, serving decent food at a decent price …

—Brian Severs

cannily

ˈka-nə-lē 

adverb

canniness

ˈka-nē-nəs 

noun

canny

2 of 2

adverb

Scotland

: in a canny manner : carefully

Synonyms of canny

Adjective

• smart
• astute
• shrewd
• savvy

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

For those of us who weren’t there and who aren’t fans, for whom Taylor Swift is either a fascinating celebrity or just one more canny billionaire with a private jet addiction, this weekend put her on a tricky knife’s edge of opinion. — Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Switzerland are canny though so Colombia cannot afford to look too far ahead. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 July 2026

Pinney’s avid, canny compositions put these varied appurtenances in plain view, foreground and background, making these empty outdoor spaces feel implicitly busy with civic life and labor. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

In an industry in which creative directors – even on Place Vendôme – are far less visible than their high fashion counterparts, renewal at the top of the design studio is a canny move. — Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026

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

Rhymes for canny

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

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