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.
This cleaner even has the ability to transform into a handheld vacuum to reach up high in nooks and crannies. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 Nov. 2025 Today, guests can walk that same path and experience all the exciting nooks and crannies Frieda first mapped out, but also experience the fun additions that have joined the party over the years. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025 Next, immerse yourself in local community history at the Fred Light Museum, a fascinating collection of ephemera compiled from area residents’ lives that fills every single nook and cranny of an old schoolhouse. Billie Cohen, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025 Now, outside their natural habitat, the beetles turn to the nooks and crannies of modern homes and structures for winter hibernation. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 29 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

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