clev ‧ er S2 /ˈklevə $ -ər/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . especially British English able to learn and understand things quickly SYN intelligent , smart American English :
a clever man
very/extremely/quite/pretty etc clever
Lucy is quite clever and does well at school.
2 . able to use your intelligence to get what you want, especially in a slightly dishonest way:
a clever lawyer’s tricks
3 . especially British English skilful at doing a particular thing:
Bill’s very clever with his hands.
his clever ball control
clever at doing something
He was clever at finding bargains.
4 . done or made in an unusual or interesting way that is very effective:
What a clever little gadget!
a clever marketing strategy
5 . British English spoken used jokingly when someone has done something silly or stupid:
‘When I got to the library I found I’d left the books at home.’ ‘That was clever!’
6 . clever clogs/dick British English spoken used to describe someone who is annoying because they are always right or always think they are right
7 . be too clever by half British English spoken to be clever, and to show that you are clever in a way that annoys other people
—cleverly adverb
—cleverness noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
▪ intelligent having a high level of mental ability, and good at thinking clearly and understanding ideas:
The top universities aim to select the most intelligent students.
▪ clever especially British English , smart especially American English intelligent, so that you can think and learn quickly and find ways to solve problems:
That was very clever of you. How did you do that?
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I wasn’t smart enough to be a lawyer.
▪ bright intelligent – used especially about children and young people:
He’s a very bright kid.
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the brightest student in the class
▪ brilliant extremely intelligent and good at the work you do:
a brilliant scientist
▪ gifted a gifted child is much more intelligent than most other children:
a special school for gifted children
▪ wise able to make good decisions and give sensible advice, especially because you have a lot of experience:
a wise old man
▪ cunning/crafty good at using your intelligence to get what you want, often by making secret plans or tricking people:
She was cunning enough to keep this latest piece of information secret.
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He’s a crafty old devil!
▪ brainy informal intelligent and good at studying:
My sister is the brainy one in our family.