clever

clev·er

adjective \ˈkle-vər\

Definition of CLEVER

1

a : skillful or adroit in using the hands or body : nimble <clever fingers>

b : mentally quick and resourceful <a clever young lawyer>

2

: marked by wit or ingenuity <a clever solution> <a clever idea>

3

dialect

a : good

b : easy to use or handle

— clev·er·ish \-v(ə-)rish\ adjective

— clev·er·ly \-vər-lē\ adverb

— clev·er·ness \-vər-nəs\ noun

Examples of CLEVER

1. Some cats are clever enough to figure out how to operate doorknobs.
2. That's the cleverest idea I've heard yet!
3. She found a clever hiding place for the letter.
4. All of Laptsev went to stare at the bride-to-be—she was no beauty, but everyone could see that she was clever, sophisticated … —Isaac Bashevis Singer, New Yorker, 29 Sept. 2003
5. … the three of them may give Gray Davis, who was too clever for his own good, his comeuppance. —Garrison Keillor, Time, 25 Aug. 2003
6. Some thought he had no redeeming value whatsoever. A sociopath. A clever manipulator … —Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2002
7. Those who can't write poetry, write clever letters to the editor. Those who can't write clever letters to the editor, write angry letters to the editor. —Matt Groening, Utne Reader, November/December 1987
8. The old lady was clever enough and he thought that if she had started from any of the right premises, more might have been expected of her. —Flannery O'Connor, Everything That Rises Must Converge, 1967

Origin of CLEVER

Middle English cliver, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan dialect kløver alert, skillful

First Known Use: circa 1595

Related to CLEVER

Synonyms

artful, creative, imaginative, ingenious, innovative, inventive

Antonyms

uncreative, unimaginative

Related Words

adventurous, fresh, groundbreaking, novel, original, visionary; cleverish, gadgety, gimmicky; convenient, handy, neat, nifty, practical, useful; complex, sophisticated; adroit, deft, dexterous (also dextrous), expert, handsome, tricky; brainy, intelligent, sharp, smart

Near Antonyms

dull, pedantic, pedestrian, stodgy; assembly-line, canned, cookie-cutter, derivative, hackneyed, unoriginal; impractical, useless

Synonym Discussion of CLEVER

clever, adroit, cunning, ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude <a person clever with horses>. adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties <an adroit negotiator>. cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating <a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects>. ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something <an ingenious software engineer>.

Rhymes with CLEVER

ever, lever, never, sever