ALL meanings of cunning
cun·ning
C c - adjective cunning Someone who is cunning has the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people. 3
- uncountable noun cunning Cunning is the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people. 3
- adjective cunning crafty and shrewd, esp in deception; sly 3
- adjective cunning made with or showing skill or cleverness; ingenious 3
- noun cunning craftiness, esp in deceiving; slyness 3
- noun cunning cleverness, skill, or ingenuity 3
- adjective cunning skillful or clever 3
- adjective cunning skillful in deception; sly; crafty 3
- adjective cunning made or done with skill or ingenuity 3
- adjective cunning attractive or pretty in a delicate way; cute 3
- noun cunning clever proficiency; skill 3
- noun cunning skill in deception; slyness; craftiness 3
- noun cunning Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit. 1
- adjective cunning smart, clever 1
- adjective cunning sly, deceptive 1
- noun cunning being smart 1
- noun cunning Can1 and may1 are frequently but not always interchangeable in senses indicating possibility: A power failure can (or may) occur at any time. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only “to be able” and may means “to be permitted,” both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May) I borrow your tape recorder? You can (or may) use it tomorrow. Sentences using can occur chiefly in spoken English. May in this sense occurs more frequently in formal contexts: May I address the court, Your Honor? In negative constructions, can't or cannot is more common than may not: You can't have it today. I need it myself. The contraction mayn't is rare. Can but and cannot but are formal and now somewhat old-fashioned expressions suggesting that there is no possible alternative to doing something. Can but is equivalent to can only: We can but do our best. Cannot but is the equivalent of cannot help but: We cannot but protest against these injustices. See also cannot, help. 1
- noun cunning a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal: a can of soup. 1
- noun cunning a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.: a trash can. 1
- noun cunning a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids: water can. 1
- noun cunning a drinking cup; tankard. 1
- noun cunning a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels. 1
- noun cunning Slang: Usually Vulgar. toilet; bathroom. 1
- noun cunning Slang. jail: He's been in the can for a week. 1
- noun cunning Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks. 1
- noun cunning cans, Slang. a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds. 1
- noun cunning Military Slang. a depth charge. a destroyer. 1
- adjective cunning showing or made with ingenuity. 1
- adjective cunning artfully subtle or shrewd; crafty; sly. 1
- adjective cunning Informal. charmingly cute or appealing: a cunning little baby. 1
- adjective cunning Archaic. skillful; expert. 1
- verb cunning Obsolete. present participle of can1 . 1
- verb with object cunning to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc. 1
- verb with object cunning Slang. to dismiss; fire. 1
- verb with object cunning Slang. to throw (something) away. 1
- verb with object cunning Slang. to put a stop to: Can that noise! 1
- verb with object cunning to record, as on film or tape. 1
- idioms cunning carry the can, British and Canadian Slang. to take the responsibility. 1
- idioms cunning in the can, recorded on film; completed: The movie is in the can and ready for release. 1
- noun cunning (Obsolete (No longer in use)) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge). 0
- noun cunning Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity. 0
- noun cunning Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit. 0
- noun cunning The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful. 0
- noun cunning The natural wit or instincts of an animal. 0
- adjective cunning Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour. 0
- adjective cunning (Obsolete (No longer in use)) Skillful, artful. 0
- adjective cunning (Obsolete (No longer in use)) Wrought with, or exibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious. 0
- adjective cunning (US, colloquial, rare) Cute, appealing. 0