clever

adjective

clev·​er ˈkle-vər 

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

the play's clever dialogue

3

dialect

a

: good

b

: easy to use or handle

cleverish

ˈkle-v(ə-)rish 

adjective

cleverly

ˈkle-vər-lē 

adverb

cleverness

ˈkle-vər-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of clever

• innovative
• imaginative
• inventive
• creative

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

synonyms see in addition intelligent

Examples of clever in a Sentence

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

… the three of them may give Gray Davis, who was too clever for his own good, his comeuppance. —Garrison Keillor, Time, 25 Aug. 2003

Some thought he had no redeeming value whatsoever. A sociopath. A clever manipulator … —Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2002

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

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

Some cats are clever enough to figure out how to operate doorknobs.

That's the cleverest idea I've heard yet!

She found a clever hiding place for the letter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Coors Light previously has found several clever ways around that, including the Coors Light bear. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026

Not your basic travel pouch, the Quince Dual-Compartment Toiletry Bag has a clever design that makes packing essentials effortless. — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

England had lost their structure, lost their composure, and had lost the ball to a calmer, cleverer opposition. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 July 2026

The dichotomy of 007, suited and booted in one moment and throwing himself into danger the next, requires shape-shifting abilities, something that is naturally applicable to the clever casting of an unknown actor. — Emily Maskell, IndieWire, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing clever

• as clever as they come
• clever clogs
• too clever by half

Rhymes for clever

• bever
• ever
• haver
• lever
• never
• rever
• sever
• cantilever
• howsoever
• whatsoever
• whensoever
• wheresoever

Kids Definition

clever

adjective

clev·​er ˈklev-ər 

1

: showing skill especially in using one's hands

clever fingers

2

: quick in learning

a clever pupil

3

: showing wit or imagination

a clever idea

cleverish

-(ə-)rish 

adjective

cleverly

-ər-lē 

adverb

cleverness

-ər-nəs 

noun