Canny
adj.thoughtful, capableeveryday
What it means
Showing practical wisdom and alert judgment about likely outcomes.
Reach for it when praising shrewd choices without implying trickery
The canny organizer booked a smaller hall with movable walls.
Choose between these
6- playful
current practical know-how suits an informal voice
not when Savvy is casual and usually needs a field, such as media or finance.
- everyday
streetwise
experience of real-world risks is the source of judgment
not when Streetwise carries an urban, defensive flavor that many canny decisions lack.
- professional
fine distinctions guide a good choice
not when Discernment often concerns taste or quality rather than tactical judgment.
- professional
sharp judgment produces an advantage
not when Shrewd can suggest calculating self-interest where the choice benefits everyone.
- formal
perceptive judgment identifies what others miss
not when Astute sounds analytical and may underplay practical thrift.
- formal
foresight supports a cautious decision
not when Prudent emphasizes avoiding risk, while a canny move can be bold.
Said against
4- naive
- gullible
- imprudent
- foolish
It naturally appears in
4- canny buyer
The canny buyer checked the repair history before discussing price.
- canny decision
Keeping both suppliers available proved a canny decision.
- canny use
A canny use of folding screens created three quiet work areas.
- canny move
Keeping the original supplier as backup was a canny move.
Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, adjective sense 1 opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.