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.
Suction power, an extra large dust cup, a detachable handle for slurping up dust and debris in nooks and crannies have all earned it major points with the Amazon crowd. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 Auloea Portable Mini Car Vacuum Cleaner Tackling messes in the car isn’t always easy—awkward spaces and small nooks and crannies skillfully hide dirt, debris, and more that are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025 This handheld vacuum cleaner includes a scrubber brush and crevice tool, which come in handy for getting into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, like a child’s high chair, car seat, or even the car upholstery. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025 Never fear, there are still plenty of nooks and crannies to hold your butter, maple syrup, fruit, and other toppings. Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 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 17 Oct. 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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