cunning

/ˈkʌnɪŋ/

/ˈkʌnɪŋ/

Other forms: cunningest; cunninger; cunnings

In fairy tales, always watch out for the cunning fox or the cunning witch. Cunning means clever, in the sense of trickery. A cunning plan might involve setting traps for the innocent and pure at heart to fall into.

This adjective goes back to the 14th-century English verb cunnen, which meant "to know," and is actually related to our English verb know. In earlier times, the noun was used to mean a high level of skill in using the hands. You can be cunning, but you can also use your cunning to figure out a very clever and tricky plan.

Definitions of cunning

1. adjective

   showing inventiveness and skill
   “the cunning maneuvers leading to his success”

   synonyms: clever, ingenious

   adroit

   quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
2. adjective

   marked by skill in deception
   “cunning men often pass for wise”

   synonyms: crafty, dodgy, foxy, guileful, knavish, slick, sly, tricksy, tricky, wily

   artful

   marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft
3. noun

   crafty artfulness (especially in deception)
   type of:

   artfulness

   the quality of being adroit in taking unfair advantage
4. noun

   shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
   synonyms: craft, craftiness, foxiness, guile, slyness, wiliness

   type of:

   astuteness, perspicaciousness, perspicacity, shrewdness

   intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)
5. adjective

   attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
   “cunning kittens”

   “a cunning baby”

   synonyms: cute

   attractive

   pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm