cleveradjective
uk/ˈklev.ər/us/ˈklev.ɚ/A1 having or showing the ability to learn and understand things quickly and easily:
Judy has never been very clever, but she tries hard.
UK Fiona is very clever at physics.
Charlie has a clever idea/plan for getting us out of our present difficulties.
skilful:
My mother is very clever with her hands.
B1 well-designed:
I've got a clever little gadget for opening jars.
disapproving showing intelligence, but not sincere, polite, or serious:
That's enough clever talk, young lady.
More examples
- Did you paint this yourself? You clever girl!
- He's always telling everybody how clever his children are.
- Edith may seem a bit crazy, but she's quite clever really.
- How clever of you to buy chocolate chip cookies - they're my favourites.
- The building relies on clever design rather than on ornament for its impressive effect.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Intelligence
- acuity
- acumen
- agile
- apt
- artful
- as (if) to the manner born idiom
- brilliance
- highbrow
- horse sense
- imaginative
- ingenious
- ingenuity
- profound
- quick-witted
- razor-sharp
- ready
- resource
- resourceful
- resourcefulness
- scholarly
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Useful or advantageous
Idiom(s)
be too clever by half
clever dick/clogs