English Dictionary
Definition of “clever”
clever (ˈklɛvə
)
Definitions
adjective
- displaying sharp intelligence or mental alertness
- adroit or dexterous, esp with the hands
- smart in a superficial way
- British informal sly; cunning
- (predicative; used with a negative) dialect healthy; fit
Alternative Forms
ˈcleverish adjective ˈcleverly adverb ˈcleverness noun Word Origin
C13 cliver (in the sense: quick to seize, adroit), of uncertain origin
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
intelligent,
quick,
bright,
talented,
gifted,
keen,
capable,
smart,
sensible,
rational,
witty,
apt,
discerning,
knowledgeable,
astute,
brainy,
quick-witted,
sagacious,
knowing,
deep,
expert,
Translations
- British English:
clever
A clever person is intelligent and able to understand things easily or to plan things well.My sister was always a lot cleverer than I was.ˈklɛvə ADJECTIVE My sister was always a lot cleverer than I was.
- Spanish:
inteligente
adj
- French:
intelligent
adj
- German:
schlau
adj
- Chinese: 聪明的 adj
- Arabic: شَاطِر adj
- Portuguese: esperto adj esperta
- Russian: умный adj умная
- Croatian: pametan adj pametna
- Czech: chytrý adj
- Danish: klog adj
- Dutch: slim adj
- Finnish: älykäs adj
- Greek: έξυπνος adj έξυπνη
- Italian: intelligente adj
- Japanese: 賢い adj
- Korean: 영리한 adj
- Norwegian: smart adj
- Polish: zdolny adj zdolna
- Brazilian Portuguese: esperto adj esperta
- European Spanish:
inteligente
adj
- Swedish: begåvad adj
- Thai: เฉลียวฉลาด adj
- Turkish: zeki adj
- Vietnamese: thông minh adj
Usage examples
Bagado's distant voice was telling me how clever this operation was.
Robert Wilson, INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS (2002)Both the appearance and the smells of the Loire Valley are evoked by a combination of clever planting and good design.
Country Life (2004)The hour is also missing the obvious: There's no mention of Vision's clever sitcom Lord Have Mercy.
Globe and Mail (2003)Thinking for yourself and forming your own opinions has nothing to do with being clever , but everything to do with being alive.
Glasgow Herald (2001)My Gosh, you're right, my clever boy, I never thought of that!
Alexander Games (compiler), THE ESSENTIAL SPIKE MILLIGAN (2002)
