CLEVER


Meaning of CLEVER in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈkle-vər ]

adjective

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

Date: circa 1595

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

Synonyms:

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

Synonym: see in addition intelligent .

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.