Definition of "canny" in English

adjective

1. Careful, prudent, cautious.

   • The politician gave a canny response to the reporter’s questions.
   • O! as thou art bonny, be prudent and canny,

2. Knowing, shrewd, astute.

   • The canny lawyer knew just how to get what he wanted.

3. Frugal, thrifty.

   • canny investments

4. (Scotland, Northumbria) Friendly, pleasant, fair, agreeable; (sometimes) funny.

   • She’s a canny lass hor like!

5. (Scotland, Northumbria) Gentle, quiet, steady.

   • a canny horse
   • Be canny with this letter.

6. (Scotland, Northumbria) Pretty, quite, very.

   • That's a canny big hoose like.

adverb

1. (Northumbria) Very, considerably; quite, rather.

   • a canny long journey
   • canny near home
   • That’s a canny big horse, man!

2. (Scotland, Northumbria) Gently, quietly; carefully, skilfully.

   • he sits very canny
   • drive canny

adjective

1. (especially of sound) Sounding as if it is coming through a tin can.

   • The rear sounds sounded canny compared to the front ones. And you also have to adjust the volume so both pair of speakers are at the same level, […]