World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesCunning
/ˈkʌn.ɪŋ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.
"He used cunning tactics to outsmart his business competitors."
- 1
Skill employed in a sly manner, or craftiness.
"The detective admired the criminal's cunning in covering his tracks."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'cunning', stemming from Old Norse 'kunnanr' meaning knowing or skillful, related to Old English 'cunnan' (to know). Over centuries, the meaning shifted from general knowledge and skill to the specific application of cleverness, often involving deceit or craftiness.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Cunning" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
rusé
Transliteration: /ʁy.ze/
"Il a fait preuve d'un esprit rusé pour résoudre l'énigme."
listig
Transliteration: /ˈlɪstɪç/
"Der listige Fuchs stahl den Käse."
astuto
Transliteration: /asˈtu.to/
"È stato un piano molto astuto."
astuto
Transliteration: /asˈtu.to/
"El ladrón fue demasiado astuto para la policía."
astuto
Transliteration: /asˈtu.tu/
"Ele usou de um plano astuto para vencer."
चालाक
Transliteration: chaalaak
"लोमड़ी एक चालाक जानवर है।"
狡猾
Transliteration: jiǎohuá
"这个狡猾的骗子终于被抓住了。"
교활한
Transliteration: gyohwalhan
"그는 교활한 수법으로 상대를 속였다."
狡猾な
Transliteration: kōkatsu na
"彼は狡猾な策略を使って成功した。"
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