cunning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, but slightly formal or literary. Can be used in positive, neutral, or negative contexts depending on application.
Quick answer
What does “cunning” mean?
Intelligence used for deception or sly manipulation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Intelligence used for deception or sly manipulation.
Skillful ingenuity in achieving one's ends, especially through craftiness or subtlety; cleverness that is often artful or deceitful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or spelling. Both use 'cunning' primarily as an adjective.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English according to some corpora, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “cunning” in a Sentence
Adjective-Noun (cunning + noun)Noun (uncountable: full of cunning)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cunning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The verb form 'to cun' is obsolete and not used.
American English
- The verb form 'to cun' is obsolete and not used.
adverb
British English
- He cunningly diverted attention from his own mistake.
- The trap was cunningly concealed among the leaves.
American English
- She cunningly framed the request as a mutual benefit.
- The spy cunningly avoided detection for years.
adjective
British English
- The barrister's cunning cross-examination exposed the witness's lies.
- He devised a cunning route to avoid the traffic cameras.
American English
- Her cunning negotiation tactics secured a much better deal.
- The raccoon showed a cunning ability to open the latched bin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used in formal business contexts due to its negative connotation; 'shrewd' or 'strategic' are preferred. Might appear in descriptions of unethical competitors.
Academic
Used in literary analysis (e.g., cunning characters), history, or anthropology (e.g., cunning folk).
Everyday
Common in descriptions of people or animals perceived as cleverly deceptive.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cunning”
- Using it as a positive compliment (can be misunderstood). Confusing it with 'cute' or 'funny'. Using 'cunningly' as an adjective ('a cunningly plan' is wrong; it's 'a cunning plan' or 'planned cunningly').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It usually implies cleverness used for deceitful or selfish purposes. Calling someone 'cunning' is more likely an insult or criticism than praise.
'Clever' is neutral or positive, meaning intelligent or skillful. 'Cunning' specifically adds a layer of slyness, craftiness, or potential deceit to that cleverness.
Yes, very commonly. Animals like foxes, raccoons, or crows are often described as 'cunning' when they exhibit clever, survival-oriented behavior that seems sly or deceptive.
It refers to a crude, unscrupulous, or selfish kind of cleverness, lacking in sophistication or moral scruple. It emphasizes the negative aspect.
Intelligence used for deception or sly manipulation.
Cunning is usually neutral, but slightly formal or literary. can be used in positive, neutral, or negative contexts depending on application. in register.
Cunning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkənɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As cunning as a fox”
- “A war of wits/cunning”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cunning fox' slyly stealing chickens. The word sounds a bit like 'conning' someone, which involves trickery.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLIGENCE IS A TOOL FOR DECEPTION. CLEVERNESS IS ANIMAL-LIKE (fox-like).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'cunning' used in a relatively neutral or positive historical sense?