canny

/ˈkæni/

Group 12Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters
GRE

Example in Context

The canny investor diversified her portfolio well before the market downturn, preserving wealth that less cautious peers lost.

Synonyms

clevershrewdsavvy

Etymology

Someone who knows how to be shrewd and smart, especially in business.

  • can (Scottish) — to know

Memory Aid

🦊Sounds like “canny

A CANNY fox wearing glasses while counting its money — super smart and sly!

Visual Association

💼A clever fox in a suit making savvy business deals, outsmarting everyone around.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “canny” mean on the GRE?

canny (adjective) means “Having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters”. The canny investor diversified her portfolio well before the market downturn, preserving wealth that less cautious peers lost.

How to remember “canny” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “canny” sounds like “canny”. A CANNY fox wearing glasses while counting its money — super smart and sly!

What are synonyms for “canny”?

Common synonyms: clever, shrewd, savvy.