cannie
1
9.9
Careful and clever in a gentle, friendly way
- adjective
- Literature
:
astuto
- She gave a cannie reply, making sure not to offend anyone in the room.
Examples
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He is quite cannie when it comes to making investments.
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His cannie handling of the situation helped avoid unnecessary conflict.
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The old man was known for his cannie ways in business negotiations.
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Her cannie nature makes her a great friend.
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His cannie approach to the project ensured that everyone felt included and valued.
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The old woman's cannie advice often helped her friends avoid mistakes in their lives.
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She is known for her cannie negotiations, always finding a way to reach an agreement without conflict.
Synonyms
8
6.3
Clever and careful when dealing with money or business
is more gentle and dialectal rather than focused on business shrewdness
Antonyms
How Careful
Surface Forms
cannie positive
Etymology
Cannie comes from Scots English and an old English word cunnan that meant 'to know'. So to be cannie is to be 'knowing'—clever, careful and gentle, using your sense to avoid trouble.