clever

IPA/ˈklevə(r)/
KK[klˈɛvɚ]IPA/ˈklevər/

clever — adjective

  • cleverpositive
  • cleverercomparative
  • cleverestsuperlative

1. quick to learn new ideas and find answers to problems, especially in classroom o

1.adjectiveA1
Definition

quick to learn new ideas and find answers to problems, especially in classroom or everyday situations

Example

Rohan is a clever boy who always finishes his maths homework before dinner.

collocation: clever boy / clever student

That was a clever question from the new student in science class.

Common collocations
  • clever student
  • clever child
  • clever idea
  • clever answer
  • clever question
  • clever trick
Synonyms
  • intelligent

    more formal and often suggests a high natural ability to understand complex ideas

  • bright

    informal, often used for children; suggests quick understanding and alertness

  • smart

    common in American English; similar meaning but can also imply practical judgement

Antonyms
  • stupid

    lacking the ability to learn or understand things quickly

  • slow

    informal; taking a long time to understand

Grammar Patterns

clever at (doing) something

clever of someone to do something

Common Mistakes

She is clever at to solve puzzles.
She is clever at solving puzzles.
after 'clever at', use the -ing form, not the infinitive.
He is clever to got the answer right.
He is clever to get the answer right.
after 'clever of someone to...', the infinitive uses the base verb.

2. having good control and skill when using your hands or body to make, repair, or

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

having good control and skill when using your hands or body to make, repair, or handle things

Example

Aiko is clever with a sewing needle and can make her own clothes.

pattern: clever with + tool/instrument

The carpenter made clever cuts in the wood to fit the pieces together.

Common collocations
  • clever with her hands
  • clever with tools
  • clever with a needle
  • clever fingers
Synonyms
  • skilful

    the most direct synonym; can be used for both physical and mental ability

  • dexterous

    more formal; specifically describes skilful use of the hands

Antonyms
  • clumsy

    moving or handling things in an awkward, careless way

Grammar Patterns

clever with (hands/fingers/tools)

Usage Note

This sense focuses on physical dexterity rather than mental ability. The subject is typically a person, and the object of 'with' is a body part, a tool, or a material.

Common Mistakes

She is clever at her hands.
She is clever with her hands.
use 'with' for body parts and tools, not 'at'.

3. showing intelligence and originality in the way something is designed, built, or

3.adjectiveB1
Definition

showing intelligence and originality in the way something is designed, built, or thought out, so that it works well or solves a problem efficiently

Example

The engineer showed us a clever device that turns ocean waves into electricity.

collocation: clever device / clever design

Priya found a clever way to store all the kitchen tools in a small cabinet.

Common collocations
  • clever device
  • clever design
  • clever idea
  • clever solution
  • clever way
  • clever system
  • clever trick
Synonyms
  • ingenious

    very similar in meaning but slightly stronger; suggests rare and impressive creativity

  • inventive

    focuses on the creativity and newness of the idea or design

Antonyms
  • clumsy

    badly designed or awkward to use

Usage Note

Used about objects, ideas, methods, or solutions — not about people. If describing a person, use sense 1 or 2 instead.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic is a clever device.
The mechanic built a clever device.
this sense describes the design, not the person.

4. using words in a quick, intelligent way that sounds amusing but lacks sincerity,

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

using words in a quick, intelligent way that sounds amusing but lacks sincerity, respect, or seriousness — often giving a negative impression

Example

Tomás made a clever joke about the teacher's mistake, but it was not polite.

disapproving register — clever remark showing lack of respect

The lawyer gave clever answers to every question, but nobody trusted his words.

Common collocations
  • clever remark
  • clever answer
  • clever talk
  • too clever by half
Synonyms
  • glib

    speaking easily and fluently but without sincerity; more negative than clever

  • cunning

    suggests cleverness used to deceive, often in a planned way

  • witty

    quick with amusing words; can be positive or negative depending on context

Antonyms
  • sincere

    showing genuine feelings without trying to be smart or tricky

  • earnest

    showing serious and honest intentions

Usage Note

Often used to criticise someone who is being too smart in a tricky or annoying way. The tone is typically disapproving, especially in British English. Distinguish from sense 1: calling someone 'too clever by half' or 'a clever person' can imply they are trying to outsmart others rather than simply being intelligent.

Common Mistakes

Using this sense in praise: 'She gave a clever speech' may be misinterpreted as sarcastic.
She gave a clever, well-researched speech' clarifies you mean sense 1.
Idioms

box clever

idiom

to act in a smart and sometimes slightly dishonest way in order to get what you want, especially in a competitive situation

The company boxed clever by filing the patent before their rivals even finished the design.

In the election debate, each candidate tried to box clever and catch the other off guard.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe mental quickness, but they differ in register, scope, and typical contexts. 'Clever' (A1) is the most general and neutral — it can describe a child solving a puzzle or an animal learning a trick. 'Intelligent' is more formal and often suggests a deep, analytical ability; you would call a scientist 'intelligent' rather than 'clever' in a formal paper. 'Smart' is common in American English and emphasises practical, street-wise judgement — a 'smart business decision' is about good sense, not just IQ. 'Bright' is informal and warm, used especially for children who learn fast, with a positive, encouraging tone ('What a bright little girl!'). 'Quick-witted' specifically means someone can think and respond very fast in conversation, often with humour. For a classroom setting, 'clever student' and 'bright student' are natural; 'intelligent student' sounds more serious; 'quick-witted student' emphasises fast verbal responses rather than overall ability.

intelligent ↗smart ↗bright ↗quick-witted

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

The origin of 'clever' is not completely certain. It first appeared in Middle English (1300s) as 'cliver', meaning 'quick, expert' or 'handy'. Many linguists believe it came from Old Norse 'klókr', meaning 'cunning, shrewd'. The sense of physical skill ('clever with her hands') is the older meaning; the mental quickness sense ('a clever student') developed later. Over time the word expanded to describe not just people but also well-designed objects and ideas. The disapproving sense (a 'clever remark' that is witty but rude) appeared in the 1700s.