Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for clever

clever

[ klev-er ]

adjective

cleverer, cleverest.
  1. mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence; able.

    Synonyms: expert, apt, gifted, smart, quick-witted, talented, ingenious

    Antonyms: stupid

  2. superficially skillful, witty, or original in character or construction; facile:

    It was an amusing, clever play, but of no lasting value.

  3. showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious:

    His clever device was the first to solve the problem.

  4. adroit with the hands or body; dexterous or nimble.

    Synonyms: handy, agile, skillful

    Antonyms: clumsy

  5. Older Use.
    1. suitable; convenient; satisfactory.
    2. in good health.


clever

/ ˈklɛvə /

adjective

  1. displaying sharp intelligence or mental alertness
  2. adroit or dexterous, esp with the hands
  3. smart in a superficial way
  4. informal.
    sly; cunning
  5. dialect.
    predicative; used with a negative healthy; fit
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈcleverness, noun
  • ˈcleverish, adjective
  • ˈcleverly, adverb
Discover More

Other Words From

  • clever·ish adjective
  • clever·ish·ly adverb
  • clever·ly adverb
  • clever·ness noun
  • over·clever adjective
  • over·clever·ly adverb
  • over·clever·ness noun
  • un·clever adjective
  • un·clever·ly adverb
  • un·clever·ness noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of clever1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English cliver, perhaps from Old English clifer “claw,” clife “burdock,” or akin to East Frisian klüfer “skillful, agile, alert”; cleavers, cleft 1, clove 2
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of clever1

C13 cliver (in the sense: quick to seize, adroit), of uncertain origin
Discover More

Example Sentences

For much of the first half Italy snapped and fizzed with more danger, throwing cleverer shapes and more accurate passes.

From BBC

California’s black bears are clever, resourceful and opportunistic.

So far, Vladimir Putin has played a clever hand, sitting back and doubtless enjoying watching the transatlantic alliance come apart at the seams.

From BBC

"It's quite clever, as it forces a global player to localise - which is the way the game works: come and build in India," says Sorabjee.

From BBC

The clever composition emphasizes his dynamic placement as a commander of the modern city, spreading out below.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Cleveland Heightsclever-clever