Uncanny describes that which unsettles us, such as disquieting observations, or mysterious situations and circumstances. Strip the word of its prefix, though, and you're left with canny, a …

UNCANNY definition: having or seeming to have a supernatural or inexplicable basis; beyond the ordinary or normal; extraordinary. See examples of uncanny used in a sentence.

UNCANNY meaning: 1. strange or mysterious, often in a way that is slightly frightening: 2. strange or mysterious…. Learn more.

If you describe something as uncanny, you mean that it is strange and difficult to explain. She bears an uncanny resemblance to the new president.

Definition of uncanny adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. having or seeming to have a supernatural or inexplicable basis; extraordinary: uncanny accuracy; an uncanny knack of spotting an opportunity. 2. mysterious; arousing fear or dread: …

Dec 14, 2025 · [The uncanny is] something that was long familiar to the psyche and was estranged from it only through being repressed. The link with repression now illuminates …

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective uncanny, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

If something is uncanny, it is so mysterious, strange, or unfamiliar that it seems supernatural. If you hear strange music echoing through your attic, you might refer to it as positively uncanny.

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