canny

1 of 3

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 3

adverb

Scotland

: in a canny manner : carefully

canniness

3 of 3

noun

can·​ni·​ness ˈka-nē-nəs 

plural -es

: a canny propensity or trait: such as

a

: prudence, wariness

b

: cleverness, shrewdness

c

: foresightedness, sagacity

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

The partnership between two outsiders clawing their way in, joined by an equally canny journalist played by Claire Foy, comes to shape Fleet Street, the London thoroughfare where scribblers plied their trade, in Lamb’s and Murdoch’s images. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

People queue up for scoops of their favorite flavors, but canny sweet teeth should keep an eye on the restaurant’s social media to see what new creations are in the case. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

First-time Nolan players factored into canny casting decisions like Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Leguizamo as Eumaeus, and Charlize Theron as Calypso. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Collins is a canny politician who won her last campaign by nine points. — Philip Elliott, Time, 23 July 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

Noun

canny + -ness

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