uncanny — strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way; having or seeming to have supernatural powers
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way; having or seeming to have supernatural powers
Pronunciation (IPA): /ʌnˈkæni/
Example Sentences
- My dog has an uncanny ability to know when I'm about to leave the house.
- There was an uncanny silence in the usually noisy classroom.
- He bears an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather in old photos.
uncanny
ADJECTIVE[/ʌnˈkæni/]
strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way; having or seeming to have supernatural powers

Mysteriously unsettling and strange

Granny's knitting glows uncanny
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Scottish English 'canny' (meaning shrewd or careful), combined with the prefix 'un-' (meaning not). The word originally meant 'not shrewd' or 'not knowing,' but evolved to mean strange or mysteriously unsettling.
Breakdown
un- (not) + canny (shrewd, knowing) = uncanny (strange, mysterious, uncannily unsettling)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dog has an uncanny ability to know when I'm about to leave the house.”
“There was an uncanny silence in the usually noisy classroom.”
“He bears an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather in old photos.”
“It's uncanny how she always calls right when I'm thinking about her.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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