Cannily - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Cannily means acting in a clever, shrewd, or astute manner, often with careful planning or sharp insight. It suggests skill in avoiding problems or achieving goals wisely.
Definition:
Acting with shrewdness or cleverness, often in a cautious or strategic manner.
Synonyms:
shrewdly, astutely, cleverly, wisely
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
foolishly, naively
Common Collocations:
act cannily, invest cannily, negotiate cannily
Derivatives:
canniness, uncannily
Usage Tips:
Use "cannily" to describe someone acting with sharp judgment or subtle cleverness in tricky situations.
Common Phrases:
play one's cards cannily, cannily avoid trouble
Etymology:
Derived from "canny," meaning knowing or shrewd, originating from early 17th-century Scots English.
Examples:
- 1. She cannily avoided the trap set by her opponent.
- 2. He invested his money cannily and doubled his savings.
- 3. The detective cannily pieced together the clues to solve the case.
- 4. She negotiated the deal cannily to get the best terms.