cranny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal or literary; also used in fixed expressions.
Quick answer
What does “cranny” mean?
A small, narrow opening or crack in a wall, rock, or other surface.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, narrow opening or crack in a wall, rock, or other surface.
Any small, hidden, or inaccessible space; by extension, a minute or obscure detail or aspect of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The idiom 'nook and cranny' is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, with a slight literary/descriptive flavour.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in everyday speech in both varieties, mostly encountered in writing or set phrases.
Grammar
How to Use “cranny” in a Sentence
preposition + cranny (in, of)verb + cranny (search, explore, fill)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'We searched every cranny of the market for new opportunities.'
Academic
Used in descriptive geography, geology, or architecture texts.
Everyday
Most common in the fixed idiom 'every nook and cranny' meaning everywhere.
Technical
Specific use in geology (rock formations) or building inspection.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cranny”
- Misspelling as 'crannery' or 'crany'.
- Using as a verb (*'to cranny the wall').
- Confusing with 'crevice' (a cranny is often smaller).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word mostly used in the fixed idiom 'every nook and cranny' or in descriptive writing.
They are close synonyms. A 'crevice' often suggests a crack in rock or earth and can be larger. A 'cranny' often implies a smaller, narrower opening, like in a wall.
No, 'cranny' is solely a noun. There is no standard verb form 'to cranny'.
It means 'everywhere' or 'every part of a place', especially small, hidden, or remote parts. It emphasizes a thorough search or coverage.
A small, narrow opening or crack in a wall, rock, or other surface.
Cranny is usually formal or literary; also used in fixed expressions. in register.
Cranny: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkræni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “every nook and cranny”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CRANNY as a CRACK so narrow, only a tiny CRANE (bird) could fit its beak in.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/SEARCH IS EXPLORATION OF A SPACE ('exploring every cranny of the subject').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best synonym for 'cranny' in the sentence: 'The secret document was hidden in a cranny of the old desk.'?