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 Get into the nooks and crannies First, remove your phone’s case and accessories. Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023 The pliable gels easily get into hard-to-reach nooks and crannies to remove dust and other debris. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2023 Hand rakes can clean tight spaces, which is especially handy when trying to rake up thin pine needles, which have a tendency to pile up in small nooks and crannies. Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023 Place plates in the lower rack and stack pots and pans with the opening facing downward or at an angle so the spray arms can reach all the nooks and crannies. Susan Hall Mahon, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2023 Enveloped in neutral hues and warmth and adorned with stone tables, rattan seating, and grand tree planters, guests found themselves in awe of unexpected nooks and crannies, such as the bathroom or the fitting rooms. Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2023 Cuckoo clocks, masks, wind chimes, garden gnomes and African sculptures adorned every cranny, creating the impression of a collector’s frenzy. Roger Cohen Avishag Shaar-Yashuv, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2023 Attempts were made to record it, but ultimately the Replacements disappeared once more into the crannies of rock history, their ongoing legacy now powered by generational word-of-mouth and the occasional high-profile sync in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Jonathan Cohen, Spin, 21 Sep. 2023 Look for chairs that don’t feature tiny nooks and crannies where food can get lost. Jessica Booth, Parents, 15 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cranny.' 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

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

Dictionary Entries Near cranny

Cite this Entry

“Cranny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranny. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

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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