Meaning & use
clever
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Quick at learning and understanding things, or good at solving problems.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a clever student; she is clever.
Patterns
- clever at something
- clever with something
She is a clever girl who learns new things fast.
He is clever at math but struggles with writing.
It was clever of you to bring an umbrella.
adjectivecomparable
Showing skill or imagination in how something is designed or done.
Grammar: Often describes things: a clever idea, a clever trick.
Patterns
- a clever way to do something
The magician performed a clever trick with a coin.
It's a clever little gadget that folds flat.
They found a clever way to save energy.
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Using intelligence in a sly or too-smart way to get an advantage.
Grammar: Can sound critical, especially in the phrase too clever by half.
Patterns
- too clever by half
Don't be too clever with the numbers or the auditors will notice.
He gave a clever answer that avoided the question.
Their clever tax plan was found to be illegal.
Word forms
| comparative | cleverer |
|---|---|
| superlative | cleverest |
Common combinations
- clever idea
- Using old jars as lamps was a clever idea.
- clever trick
- The dog learned a clever trick.
- too clever by half
- His plan was too clever by half, and it failed.
- clever with your hands
- My uncle is clever with his hands and fixes everything.
- clever at
- She is clever at finding bargains.
Synonyms and how they differ
- intelligent
- Intelligent is more formal and neutral, while clever is more everyday and can hint at cunning.
- smart
- Smart is the common American equivalent, while clever is more often used in British English.
- ingenious
- Ingenious is stronger and describes inventive solutions, while clever is a wider praise.
- cunning
- Cunning always suggests deceit, whereas clever can be fully positive.
Opposites
Word family
- cleverly adverb
- in an intelligent or skilled way
- cleverness noun
- the quality of being clever
- clever-clever adjective
- annoyingly showy about being smart
- cleverish adjective
- somewhat clever, rare
Commonly confused: clever or wise?
clever vs wise
Wise means having good judgment from experience, while clever means quick at thinking.
Practice
It was ______ of you to remember the spare key before we got locked out.
Choose one answer.
After It was ... of you, an adjective is needed. Cleverly is an adverb, and cleaver is a different word meaning a butcher's knife.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “clever”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.