Pronunciation: [kˈʌnɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "cunning" is quite tricky. It is pronounced as /ˈkʌnɪŋ/ (KUN-ing) and the two Ns might look like they should make an "n" sound (as in "canning"), but they don't. Instead, the "u" followed by the first "n" produces a short /ʌ/ (UH) sound, and the second "n" is silent. The word is often used to describe someone or something that is clever or sly in a deceitful way.
Cunning is an adjective that describes someone who is skilled at deceiving others, often through cleverness or slyness. It is used to refer to individuals who possess a high level of intelligence and resourcefulness, which they employ to achieve their own goals or gain an advantage over others, often at the expense of others' well-being or without their knowledge.
A cunning person is adept at manipulating situations and people to suit their own interests, often using guile and subtlety to accomplish their objectives. They are strategic thinkers and excel in planning and executing their actions, focusing on achieving personal gains or benefits. Cunning individuals often possess a deep understanding of human nature, allowing them to exploit psychological weaknesses or vulnerabilities for their own advantage.
However, it is important to note that cunning does not signify pure malevolence or evil intent. Cunning can be used positively, such as in instances where it is employed for the greater good or strategic planning. In such cases, cunning is associated with shrewdness, astuteness, and cleverness in problem-solving or decision-making.
Overall, cunning is a multifaceted term that encompasses intelligence, resourcefulness, and cleverness, often employed in a strategic manner to achieve personal goals or gain an advantage over others, while occasionally emphasizing elements of deception or manipulation.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cunning" originated from the Middle English term "cunnen", which was derived from the Old English word "cunnan". This Old English word meant "to know" or "to be able to", and was commonly used to express knowledge or skill. Over time, "cunnen" evolved into "cunning", which maintained the connotations of skill and knowledge, but took on a more specific sense of having cleverness, slyness, or deceitfulness. The word's Old Norse equivalent, "kunnandi", also influenced its development.
