cranny

noun

cran·​ny ˈkra-nē How to pronounce cranny (audio)
plural crannies
1
: a small break or slit : crevice
2
: an obscure nook or corner
crannied adjective

Examples of cranny in a Sentence

We saw strange, colorful creatures in the crannies of the reef while scuba diving. We explored every cranny of the old castle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The damp nooks and crannies trap debris creating the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, including E. coli. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 July 2025 This can take months, involves a lot of fiddly work to get the paint and grime out of small nooks and crannies, and can damage the underlying metal surface. New Atlas, 12 July 2025 In addition, the stair tool and combination tool help get into all the nooks and crannies of your house for top-to-bottom cleaning. Cierra Cowan July 11, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 For the better part of a decade, researchers searched the dark and damp nooks and crannies of a Mediterranean island. Irene Wright july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cranny

Word History

Etymology

Middle English crany, from Middle French cren, cran notch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cranny was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cranny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranny. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cranny

noun
cran·​ny ˈkran-ē How to pronounce cranny (audio)
plural crannies
: a small break or slit (as in a cliff)

More from Merriam-Webster on cranny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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