# canny

/ˈkæni/ (US) · /kˈæni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/canny
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. pleasant or nice

adjective · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English

pleasant, kind, or attractive.

For teachers: denoting a person or thing that is pleasant, agreeable, or attractive. This sense is geographically restricted.

- He is a canny lad who is always willing to help his neighbours.
- The cottage was a canny little place, tucked away in a quiet corner of the village.

Usage: Common in North East England (Tyneside) and parts of Scotland.

### 3. very or quite

adverb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English

used to mean 'very' or 'quite' to make an adjective stronger.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'very', 'quite', or 'considerably'.

- It was a canny good film, even though it was quite long.
- The walk to the next village is canny far, so we should probably leave before it gets dark.

Usage: Used as an intensifier before adjectives.

## Examples

- He is a canny businessman who always gets the best prices.
- The old man was a canny trader who managed to save enough money to retire early.
- In a highly competitive market, a canny investor must remain vigilant for subtle shifts in consumer behavior that others might overlook.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.