A Word A Day : Uncanny




Friday, 4th January 2008 : Today's Word is ...

Uncanny



( Adjective )


(Comparative : uncannier
Superlative : uncanniest)

Pronunciation : un-kán-nee


1. too strange or unlikely to seem merely natural or human

2. unexpectedly accurate or precise

3. arousing superstitious fear or dread

4. so keen and perceptive as to seem preternatural

5. of a mysteriously strange and usually frightening nature

Etymology:


Late 16th century - UN + CANNY - fortunate - safe (obsolete)


Synonyms:


astonishing, astounding, creepy, devilish, eerie, exceptional, extraordinary, fantastic, ghostly, ghoulish, incredible, inexplainable, inspired, magical, miraculous, mysterious, mystifying, preternatural, prodigious, queer, remarkable, scary, secret, singular, spooky, superhuman, supernatural, supernormal, supranormal, unearthly, unheard-of, unnatural, unusual, weird

Antonyms:


common, natural, funny, ordinary, silly, pleasant, common, usual


Contextual Examples:


• The uncanny creatures flew in and out among the trees and tents, now swooping low near the Indians or the travelers.

• Again and again the queen led the girl into the depths and out again, until the uncanny weirdness of the thing got on my nerves so that I could have leaped into the tank to the child's rescue had I not taken a firm hold of myself.

Uncanny sounds filled the house.


Related Words:


uncannily: Adverb

uncanniness: Noun

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