CLEVER

clever, cunning, ingenious

(adjective) showing inventiveness and skill; “a clever gadget”; “the cunning maneuvers leading to his success”; “an ingenious solution to the problem”

cagey, cagy, canny, clever

(adjective) showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others; “a cagey lawyer”; “too clever to be sound”

apt, clever

(adjective) mentally quick and resourceful; “an apt pupil”; “you are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold”-Bram Stoker

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

clever (comparative cleverer or more clever, superlative cleverest or most clever)

Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept.

Resourceful, sometimes to the point of cunning.

Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.

Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.

(anthropology, of an Aboriginal Australian) Possessing magical abilities.

(obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.

(obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.

(US, dated) Good-natured; obliging.

(UK, colloquial) Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.

Synonyms

• (smart, intelligent or witty): quick-witted, sharp-witted

See also intelligent

• (resourceful, perhaps cunning): cunning, street-smart

• (nimble or skillful): adroit, talented

• (showing inventiveness): ingenious

• (possessing magical powers): magical

Antonyms

• (smart, intelligent or witty): dull, stupid

• (resourceful, perhaps cunning): ineffectual, naive

• (nimble or skillful): clumsy

• (showing inventiveness)

• (possessing magical powers): natural

Anagrams

• Clerve

Proper noun

Clever

A city in Missouri.

Anagrams

• Clerve

Source: Wiktionary


Clev"er, a. Etym: [Origin uncertain. Cf. OE. cliver eager, AS. clyfer (in comp.) cloven; or clifer a claw, perh. connected with E. cleave to divide, split, the meaning of E. clever perh. coming from the idea of grasping, seizing (with the mind).]

1. Possessing quickness of intellect, skill, dexterity, talent, or adroitness; expert. Though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds. Macaulay. Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever. C. Kingsley.

2. Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick. Byron.

3. Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness. "T would sound more clever To me and to my heirs forever. Swift.

4. Well-shaped; handsome. "The girl was a tight, clever wench as any was." Arbuthnot.

5. Good-natured; obliging. [U. S.]

Syn.

– See Smart.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

10 May 2025

BEATIFY

(verb) declare (a dead person) to be blessed; the first step of achieving sainthood; “On Sunday, the martyr will be beatified by the Vatican”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world. Each year Brazil exports more than 44 million bags of coffee. Vietnam follows at exporting over 27 million bags each year.

coffee icon