Antonyms for canny

Grammar : Adj

Spell : kan-ee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈkæn i

Definition of canny

Origin : 1630s, Scottish and northern English formation from can (v.1) in its sense of "know how to," + -y (2). "Knowing," hence, "careful." A doublet of cunning that flowed into distinct senses. Often used superciliously of Scots by their southern neighbors (and their American cousins).
The Canny Scot is so well known as scarcely to require description. He carries caution, cunning, and selfishness to excess. Deceitful when a purpose is to be accomplished, he is not habitually deceitful. One thing he never loses sight of--his own interest. But of his own interest he is not the most enlightened judge. ["The Natural History of Scotsmen," in "The Argosy," December 1865]
Related: Cannily; canniness.

adj clever, artful

Example sentences :

He said it was "Kahore pai;" or, as a Scotsman would put it, "no canny."
Extract from : « Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2) » by William Delisle Hay

So reasoned the canny Scot, but he held his tongue to his Lilias.
Extract from : « Two Penniless Princesses » by Charlotte M. Yonge

And old Angus wagged his head and said, "Canny lass, the widdy!"
Extract from : « They of the High Trails » by Hamlin Garland

Turning, I found the canny swain had followed me on an investigating tour.
Extract from : « Lords of the North » by A. C. Laut

It might be a good thing, said the canny Scot, to back him up and reap the benefit.
Extract from : « Under Fire » by Charles King

That uncle of yours, Mary, heth he's as canny a keoghboy as I've seen.
Extract from : « The Drone » by Rutherford Mayne

But the canny wife of the Provost, douce man, plucked him by the sleeve.
Extract from : « Border Ghost Stories » by Howard Pease

The Scotch were either too "canny" or too dull to "fash" themselves about it.
Extract from : « More Science From an Easy Chair » by Sir E. Ray (Edwin Ray) Lankester

Ill be her nurse, and Ill gang aboot on my stockin soles as canny as pussy.
Extract from : « Spare Hours » by John Brown

The farmer was back in ten minutes, with a canny face that defied reading.
Extract from : « Greyfriars Bobby » by Eleanor Atkinson

Synonyms for canny

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019