Pronunciation: /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

Definitions of cunning

noun skill in achieving one's ends through deceit or evasion

Example Sentences

A1 The fox used cunning to outsmart the farmer.

A2 The magician's cunning tricks amazed the audience.

B1 Her cunning in negotiations helped her secure a better deal.

B2 The spy's cunning allowed him to gather valuable intelligence.

C1 The criminal's cunning plan was meticulously executed.

C2 The cunning of the detective helped solve the mysterious case.

adjective having or showing skill in achieving one's ends through deceit or evasion

Example Sentences

A1 The cunning fox outsmarted the farmer and stole all the chickens.

A2 She used cunning tactics to win the game against her opponent.

B1 The detective admired the criminal's cunning plan to rob the bank.

B2 The cunning politician manipulated the situation to gain more power.

C1 Her cunning negotiation skills helped her secure a lucrative business deal.

C2 The cunning spy was able to gather valuable information without being detected.

Examples of cunning in a Sentence

formal The cunning fox outsmarted the hunter by leading him into a trap.

informal She's a cunning one, always finding a way to get what she wants.

slang That guy is so cunning, he could sell ice to an Eskimo.

figurative Her cunning smile told me she had a secret plan up her sleeve.

Grammatical Forms of cunning

past tense

cunninged

plural

cunnings

comparative

more cunning

superlative

most cunning

present tense

cunning

future tense

will cunning

perfect tense

has cunninged

continuous tense

is cunning

singular

cunning

positive degree

cunning

infinitive

to cunning

gerund

cunninging

participle

cunninged

Origin and Evolution of cunning

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old Norse
Story behind the word: The word 'cunning' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old Norse word 'kunnandi' meaning 'knowledge, skill'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'cunning' evolved to encompass the meanings of cleverness, deceitfulness, and skillful manipulation.