uncanny

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for May 10, 2025 is "uncanny", an adjective that describes something strange or unusual in a surprising way. It can also imply a supernatural character or origin. The word is often used to describe unsettling observations, mysterious situations, or circumstances that make us feel uneasy. For example, a child's ability to recognize streets they've only seen once or twice before can be described as uncanny ability. The word "uncanny" can evoke an eerie feeling, as in a situation where lights flicker and create an uncanny atmosphere. The word "uncanny" is rooted in the Scots word "canny", which means "free from risk, wise, prudent, and cautious". Interestingly, "canny" has a secondary meaning in Scots, used in negative constructions, to describe what is not safe to be involved with, or what is not right or natural. This secondary meaning is similar to the meaning of "uncanny". The word "uncanny" as something that unsettles us, but its root "canny" means the opposite, clever and prudent. The Oxford English Dictionary defines "canny" as a word used chiefly in negative constructions to describe what is not safe or right.