cranny

noun

cran·​ny ˈkra-nē How to pronounce cranny (audio)
plural crannies
1
: a small break or slit : crevice
2
: an obscure nook or corner
crannied adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All the extras make for a lot of nooks and crannies for any leaky food or spilled beer to get into. Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Aug. 2025 Select a model with minimal nooks and crannies that can be easily wiped down, rinsed and dried. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2025 Much like Odyssey, exploring or creating nooks and crannies across levels can lead to secret Banandium Gems or hidden challenges. Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 Even tiny crevices or tears can lead to a problem in no time, as bacteria can get caught in those nooks and crannies. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranny

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crany, from Middle French cren, cran notch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranny was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranny. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

cranny

noun
cran·​ny ˈkran-ē How to pronounce cranny (audio)
plural crannies
: a small break or slit (as in a cliff)

More from Merriam-Webster on cranny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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