Canny
adjective /ˈkæni/ — Shrewd and practical — clever in a way that's always slightly ahead of the room.
Definition
Having or showing shrewd judgment and practical wisdom; astute, especially in business or financial matters; able to avoid being deceived or outwitted.
Beyond the definition
Canny is admiration for practical intelligence — not book smarts, but the kind of wisdom that knows how things actually work. The canny person has seen enough patterns to navigate new ones instinctively.
Origin & history
From Scottish and Northern English canny — knowing, careful, from can (to know, to be able). Related to 'ken' — to know. The root is knowledge applied practically.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She was canny about people — she knew within five minutes who was useful, who was genuine, and who was neither.
A canny investor doesn't predict the future; they read the present more accurately than everyone else.
His canny reputation was built on consistently avoiding decisions that others regretted.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Canny” when the meaning fits your context: Having or showing shrewd judgment and practical wisdom; astute, especially in business or financial matters; able to avoid being deceived or outwitted.
Synonyms
shrewd, astute, savvy, clever, wily, perspicacious
Antonyms
naive, gullible, foolish, imprudent
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Thoughtful pause after a meal
An adult sits at a table after a meal, looking intently at a flickering candle flame in dim light.
The figure's posture displays discernment and stillness. It illustrates the nuance of shrewd judgment, representing the ability to observe and evaluate a situation patiently before arriving at a practical decision.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Canny" mean?
Canny is adjective meaning: Shrewd and practical — clever in a way that's always slightly ahead of the room.. Having or showing shrewd judgment and practical wisdom; astute, especially in business or financial matters; able to avoid being deceived or outwitted.
Where does the word "Canny" come from?
From Scottish and Northern English canny — knowing, careful, from can (to know, to be able). Related to 'ken' — to know. The root is knowledge applied practically.