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Uncannier: meaning, definitions and examples

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uncannier

 

[ ʌnˈkæniər ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

strange or eerie

The term 'uncannier' is the comparative form of 'uncanny', which refers to something that is strange, mysterious, or difficult to explain. It describes an experience or phenomenon that is unsettling or eerie, often due to its unusual nature. An 'uncannier' experience is one that surpasses previous encounters in terms of its eerie or mysterious qualities. It can relate to anything from art and literature to personal experiences that evoke a sense of the supernatural or bizarre.

Synonyms

more bizarre, more eerie, stranger

Examples of usage

  • The film's uncannier moments left the audience in shock.
  • Her uncannier sense of intuition often amazed her friends.
  • He had an uncannier ability to predict the outcome of events.
  • The landscape became uncannier as the fog rolled in.

Translations

Translations of the word "uncannier" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais estranho

🇮🇳 अजीब

🇩🇪 unheimlicher

🇮🇩 lebih aneh

🇺🇦 більш дивний

🇵🇱 bardziej dziwny

🇯🇵 より不気味な

🇫🇷 plus étrange

🇪🇸 más extraño

🇹🇷 daha tuhaf

🇰🇷 더 기이한

🇸🇦 أكثر غرابة

🇨🇿 podivnější

🇸🇰 podivnejší

🇨🇳 更奇怪的

🇸🇮 bolj nenavaden

🇮🇸 fyrir miðju

🇰🇿 одаққа толы

🇬🇪 მეტად უცნაური

🇦🇿 daha qəribə

🇲🇽 más extraño

Word origin

The word 'uncanny' originates from the early 19th century, formed by combining the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not', with the word 'canny'. Initially, 'canny' meant shrewd or careful, derived from Scottish dialect, which hinted at being knowledgeable or prudent. Over time, 'uncanny' evolved to imply an unsettling quality, often associated with something that is not just odd or strange but invokes discomfort through its familiarity or eerie nature. 'Uncannier' serves to amplify this unsettling quality, comparing two experiences or subjects. The usage of the term has become widespread in literature and discussions surrounding psychology, especially in relation to phenomena that evoke feelings of unease or the supernatural.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,693, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.