clever

American  

[klev-er] / ˈklɛv ər /

adjective

cleverer, cleverest

1. mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence; able.

   Synonyms:

   expert, apt, gifted, smart, quick-witted, talented, ingenious

   Antonyms:

   stupid

2. superficially skillful, witty, or original in character or construction; facile.

   It was an amusing, clever play, but of no lasting value.

3. showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious.

   His clever device was the first to solve the problem.

4. adroit with the hands or body; dexterous or nimble.

   Synonyms:

   handy, agile, skillful

   Antonyms:

   clumsy

5. Older Use.

   1. suitable; convenient; satisfactory.

   2. good-natured.

   3. handsome.

   4. in good health.

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clever British  

/ ˈklɛvə /

adjective

1. displaying sharp intelligence or mental alertness

2. adroit or dexterous, esp with the hands

3. smart in a superficial way

4. informal sly; cunning

5. dialect (predicative; used with a negative) healthy; fit

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cleverness
  noun
• overcleverness
  noun
• cleverishly
  adverb
• cleverly
  adverb
• overcleverly
  adverb
• unclever
  adjective
• overclever
  adjective
• uncleverness
  noun
• cleverish
  adjective
• uncleverly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of clever

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English cliver, perhaps from Old English clifer “claw,” clife “burdock,” or akin to East Frisian klüfer “skillful, agile, alert”; see cleavers, cleft ¹, clove ²

Explanation

Clever may seem like a compliment, but this adjective boasts a rather broad range of meanings—from "intelligent" and "imaginative" to "calculating" or "contrived." The roots of the word clever, are unknown. It was in use colloquially long before it entered the literary record, and this may be a factor in the word's enduring suppleness. The earliest written examples of clever convey the idea of dexterity — that is, the term was used to describe someone who was good with his hands. Now, clever still means "agile" or "adroit," but it refers to mental, rather than physical, skill. Clever can also be used to describe the products of a nimble mind, such as a "clever scheme" or a "clever device."

Example Sentences

Appeared in the May 6, 2026, print edition as 'Kacey Musgraves’s Clever Country'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

Clever staging was also used to showcase his live band on the evening, who appeared on a raised platform behind the Brixton-born artist.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Nearly two-third of buyers Clever Offers polled worry that rising home prices will delay their purchasing decisions.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

Clever as they are, both parties make it out of a tight spot just fine, but it’s Bob who’s left to pick up the pieces.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2025

Mum warned me to stop being a Clever Little Schoolboy.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell