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Nook vs Cranny - What's the difference?

nook | cranny |

As nouns the difference between nook and cranny

is that nook is a small corner formed by two walls; an alcove or recess or ancone while cranny is a small, narrow opening, fissure, crevice, or chink, as in a wall, or other substance.

As a verb cranny is

to break into, or become full of, crannies.

As an adjective cranny is

quick; giddy; thoughtless.

nook

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove or recess or ancone.
  • There was a small broom for sweeping ash kept in the nook between the fireplace bricks and the wall.
  • A hidden or secluded spot.
  • The back of the used book shop was one of her favorite nooks ; she could read for hours and no one would bother her or pester her to buy.

    Derived terms

    * nookery

    cranny

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) crany, .

    Noun

    (crannies)
  • A small, narrow opening, fissure, crevice, or chink, as in a wall, or other substance.
  • * Arbuthnot
  • He peeped into every cranny .
  • * Dryden
  • In a firm building, the cavities ought not to be filled with rubbish, but with brick or stone fitted to the crannies .
  • A tool for forming the necks of bottles, etc.
  • Verb

  • To break into, or become full of, crannies.
  • * Golding
  • The ground did cranny everywhere.
  • To haunt or enter by crannies.
  • * Byron
  • All tenantless, save to the crannying wind.

    Etymology 2

    Perhaps for cranky.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (UK, dialect) quick; giddy; thoughtless
  • (Halliwell)
    (Webster 1913)