canny in English
- canny⇄adj. 1. shrewd and cautious in dealing with others.
Ex. The canny trader made a large profit by buying goods when they were plentiful and selling them when they became scarce. They may manage to find a way out of their dilemma, for there are some v - canny⇄adv. (Scottish.) in a canny manner; carefully; warily; gently.
- canny⇄adv. cannily.
- canny⇄canny, adjective, -nier,-niest,adverb.
- canny⇄noun canniness.
canny in Sindhi سنڌي
canny in Tamil தமிழ்
Canny
Part of Speech
adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈkæni/
Definitions
1. (adjective) Showing shrewdness and good judgment, particularly in difficult situations.
2. (adjective) Cunning, skillful, and cautious, often with a sense of practicality and awareness of the circumstances.
Usage Examples
- The canny investor made his moves cautiously, avoiding any risky decisions.
- Her canny handling of the negotiation won the respect of her colleagues.
- In a canny attempt to avoid failure, the business owner conducted thorough market research before launching the product.
Etymology
The word "canny" comes from the Scots word *canny*, meaning "wise" or "prudent." It is believed to be derived from the Old Northern French word *canne*, meaning "to know" or "knowledge." The term has been in use since the 16th century and historically referred to someone who was cautious and prudent.
Synonyms
- shrewd
- astute
- clever
- prudent
- crafty
- wise
Antonyms
- naive
- gullible
- inept
- foolish
- reckless
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | astuto | /asˈtuːto/ |
| French | astucieux | /astysjø/ |
| German | klug | /kluːk/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 机智的 | /jī zhì de/ |
| Russian | хитрый | /ˈxitrɨj/ |
| Arabic | ماهر | /māhir/ |
| Hindi | चतुर | /chatur/ |
| Bengali | চতুর | /chotur/ |
| Portuguese | astuto | /asˈtuːtu/ |
| Italian | astuto | /asˈtuːto/ |
| Japanese | 賢い | /kashikoi/ |
| Greek | ευφυής | /efˈfisis/ |
| Turkish | kurnaz | /kurnaz/ |
| Polish | sprytny | /ˈsprɨtnɨ/ |
| Dutch | sluw | /slʏʋ/ |
| Swedish | slug | /slʉːɡ/ |
| Norwegian | klok | /klok/ |
| Finnish | ketterä | /ˈketːeˌrɑ/ |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 機智的 | /gī ji dei/ |
| Gujarati | ચતુર | /chatur/ |
| Odia | ଚତୁର | /chatura/ |
| Telugu | చతుర | /chatura/ |
| Tamil | சதுர | /sathura/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In some regions, particularly in Scotland, the word "canny" is pronounced with a stronger emphasis on the first syllable, while in other parts of the world, it may sound more like "kenny." The meaning remains the same, though the pronunciation may vary slightly based on local dialects.
Historical Usage
Historically, the term "canny" has been widely used in Scottish and Northern English dialects to describe someone who is shrewd, astute, or wise. It was once more common in everyday language but remains a central part of regional speech today, particularly when emphasizing practical wisdom or cleverness in situations.
Cultural Nuances
In some cultures, being "canny" is associated with street-smartness or cleverness in dealing with difficult or tricky situations, particularly in business or social contexts. It is viewed positively when it indicates someone who can make wise and effective decisions, but it can also imply a level of cunning in a more negative sense.
More Information
The word "canny" is often used to describe someone who shows shrewdness or practicality, especially in a careful and deliberate manner. It emphasizes the ability to think ahead, avoid mistakes, and act in a way that benefits the individual or group. The term is particularly used in a positive light when referring to people who are wise or capable in both personal and professional environments.