cunning cunning /ˈkʌnɪŋ/

adjective

1. Showing inventiveness and skill  ( clever , cunning , ingenious )
   showing inventiveness and skill
    A clever gadget
   a clever gadget
    The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
   the cunning maneuvers leading to his success
    An ingenious solution to the problem
   an ingenious solution to the problem
   
2. Marked by skill in deception  ( cunning , dodgy [Informal, British] , foxy , crafty , guileful , knavish , slick , tricksy , tricky , sly , wily )
   marked by skill in deception
    Cunning men often pass for wise
   cunning men often pass for wise
    Deep political machinations
   deep political machinations
    A foxy scheme
   a foxy scheme
    A slick evasive answer
   a slick evasive answer
    Sly as a fox
   sly as a fox
    Tricky Dick
   tricky Dick
    A wily old attorney
   a wily old attorney
   
3. Attractive especially by means of smallness, prettiness or quaintness  ( cunning , cute )
   attractive especially by means of smallness, prettiness or quaintness
    A cute kid with pigtails
   a cute kid with pigtails
    A cute little apartment
   a cute little apartment
    Cunning kittens
   cunning kittens
    A cunning baby
   a cunning baby
   

noun

1. Crafty artfulness (especially in deception)  ( cunning )
   crafty artfulness (especially in deception)
   
2. Shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception  ( craft , craftiness , cunning , foxiness , guile , slyness , wiliness )
   shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception