canny

views updated May 23 2018

can·ny / ˈkanē/ • adj. (-ni·er, -ni·est) having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, esp. in money or business matters: canny shoppers came early for a bargain.DERIVATIVES: can·ni·ly / ˈkanl-ē/ adv.can·ni·ness n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

canny

views updated May 18 2018

canny (Sc.) sagacious, cautious XVI; clever, cunning XVIII; (north. Eng.) agreeable, comely XIX. Presumably f. CAN 2 + -Y 1; corr. to cunning in its primary sense.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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