DictionaryAI

clever

adjective
KLEV-ur/ˈklɛv.ɚ/UKKLEV-uh/ˈklɛv.ə/

12 meanings of clever

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Able to learn and understand things quickly.

    Like a sponge soaking up water: new ideas go in fast and stay.

    My sister is clever and learns new languages fast.

    The clever student finished the math problems before everyone else.

    Similarintelligent, bright, smart, brilliant, quick

    Oppositestupid, dim, slow, dull

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Smart and quick at thinking, sometimes in a funny way.

    Grandpa is clever and always has a quick answer for everything.

    The clever detective in the story figures everything out before the police do.

    Similarwitty, sharp, smart, quick

    Oppositedull, stupid

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    Good at finding smart ways to get what you want.

    The clever fox found a way into the chicken yard.

    She was clever and talked the guard into letting her pass.

    Similarshrewd, astute, cunning, canny, resourceful

    Oppositenaive

    Note
  4. 4
    adjective
    Made or done in a smart, quick-thinking way.

    That was a clever way to carry all the bags at once.

    Her clever trick saved us a lot of time.

    Similaringenious, smart, neat, inventive, resourceful

    Oppositeclumsy, crude

    Note
  5. 5
    adjective
    Made with fresh, original ideas, often in a funny way.

    The movie's clever ending surprised everyone in the theater.

    He wrote a clever poem about his cat for school.

    Similarinventive, witty, original, ingenious, imaginative

    Oppositeunoriginal, dull, uninspired

    Note
  6. 6
    adjective
    Quick and skillful with your hands or body.

    She is clever with her hands and can fix almost anything.

    The clever juggler kept five balls in the air at once.

    Similarskillful, dexterous, deft, nimble, adept

    Oppositeclumsy, awkward, inept

    Note
  7. 7
    adjectivecolloquialUK
    Feeling well and healthy, not sick or tired.

    Dad says he's not feeling very clever today, so he's staying in bed.

    After that long drive I didn't feel too clever.

    Similarwell, good, great

    Oppositeunwell, ill, rough

    Note
  8. 8
    adjective
    Having magic powers, like healing sick people or seeing spirits.

    People believed the old woman was clever and could cure sickness with special songs.

    His family asked a clever neighbor to use charms to bring back their good luck.

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of clever apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from an old English dialect word meaning "expert at grabbing." Its exact origin is not certain.