First Known Use: circa 1595
Dictionary
clever
adjective clev·er \ˈkle-vər\
: intelligent and able to learn things quickly
: showing intelligent thinking
: funny in a way that shows intelligence
Full Definition of CLEVER
1
a : skillful or adroit in using the hands or body : nimble <clever fingers> b : mentally quick and resourceful <a clever young lawyer>
2
: marked by wit or ingenuity <a clever solution> <a clever idea>
3
— clev·er·ish \-v(ə-)rish\ adjective
— clev·er·ly \-vər-lē\ adverb
— clev·er·ness \-vər-nəs\ noun
See clever defined for English-language learners
See clever defined for kids
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Examples of CLEVER
- All of Laptsev went to stare at the bride-to-be—she was no beauty, but everyone could see that she was clever, sophisticated … —Isaac Bashevis Singer, New Yorker, 29 Sept. 2003
- … the three of them may give Gray Davis, who was too clever for his own good, his comeuppance. —Garrison Keillor, Time, 25 Aug. 2003
- Some thought he had no redeeming value whatsoever. A sociopath. A clever manipulator … —Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2002
- Those who can't write poetry, write clever letters to the editor. Those who can't write clever letters to the editor, write angry letters to the editor. —Matt Groening, Utne Reader, November/December 1987
- The old lady was clever enough and he thought that if she had started from any of the right premises, more might have been expected of her. —Flannery O'Connor, Everything That Rises Must Converge, 1967
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Origin of CLEVER
Middle English cliver, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan dialect kløver alert, skillful
Related to CLEVER
- Synonyms
- artful, creative, imaginative, ingenious, innovative, inventive
- Antonyms
- uncreative, unimaginative
Synonym Discussion of CLEVER
clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude <a person clever with horses>. adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties <an adroit negotiator>. cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating <a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects>. ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something <an ingenious software engineer>.
synonyms see in addition intelligent
CLEVER Defined for Kids
clever
adjective clev·er \ˈkle-vər\
clev·er·erclev·er·est
Definition of CLEVER for Kids
1
: having a quick inventive mind <a clever designer>
2
: showing intelligence, wit, or imagination <a clever joke> <a clever idea>
3
: showing skill in using the hands <He was very strong and clever with his knife … — Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden>
— clev·er·ly adverb
— clev·er·ness noun
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