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.
The flowers Gaines preserves have fewer nooks and crannies for moisture to hide in. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025 While vacuum cleaners and spin mops work wonders on floors, tackling the hidden nooks and crannies behind the faucet, in the shower, and around floor tiles usually requires a bit more elbow grease. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 27 June 2025 The easiest bottle to clean is one that has very few nooks and crannies to store bacteria. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 June 2025 The device includes attachments such as a dust brush and a crevice tool, meaning it can be used for cleaning upholstery and stairs, along with getting into nooks and crannies. Toni Sutton, People.com, 13 June 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 8 Jul. 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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