I. ˈklevə(r) adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English cliver, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish dialect kløver clever, skillful, alert, Old Norse kljūfa to split, pierce — more at cleave
1. : showing deftness, skill, or adroitness in using the hands or in other bodily movements : nimble
clever with the gloves
2. : having mental quickness, intelligence, resourcefulness in improvising often accompanied by craft, wit, or physical dexterity
you are a clever man, … you reason well, and your wit is bold — Bram Stoker
through the porcelain … a clever artisan had thrust a rivet — Elinor Wylie
often : intelligent, quick, ingenious, and resourceful but lacking in depth, soundness, wisdom, or morality
too clever to be sound — Van Wyck Brooks
an exercise in clever film-making without ever striking fire as a film — Arthur Knight
3. : characterized by the display of wit or ingenuity
a clever poem
his judgments were wise rather than clever — James Hilton
applauded his clever sparkling speech
4. now dialect
a. : in good health
wasn't looking too clever — Thomas Wood †1950
b. : well-shaped : clean-limbed — used especially of an animal
a right clever horse
c. : well-made : carefully constructed
a clever spade
5. now chiefly dialect : convenient or easy to use or handle
a sweet craft, trim, staunch, and clever to handle — S.H.Adams
: satisfactory , pleasing
clever land for farming
— a generalized expression of approval
6. dialect : good-natured , obliging , amiable , hospitable
good clever man — Elizabeth M. Roberts
Synonyms:
adroit , cunning , ingenious : although clever still occasionally retains its old meaning of physical dexterity, agility, and deftness, it usually indicates mental alertness and resourcefulness
curiously clever at all kinds of things … a sort of impromptu conjuring, making fifteen matches set fire to each other like a regular firework — G.K.Chesterton
“who invented the story — you or her?” “He did, monsieur. He was very clever. He thought of everything” — Dorothy Sayers
Austin was not clever like Adrian; he seldom divined other people's ideas and always went the direct road to his object — George Meredith
adroit suggests shrewd and wily or alert and agile expedients
the cool prudence, the sensitive selfishness, the quick perception of what is possible, which distinguish the adroit politician — J.R.Green
'tis said he could shave himself with the axe — so all adroit … does he work and play at once — Robert Browning
cunning may apply to high creative skill or low guileful craft
he knew how … to construct a plot, he was cunning in his manipulation of stage effects — T.S.Eliot
it is, of course, possible that a cunning man might change the tire of his bicycle in order to leave unfamiliar tracks — A. Conan Doyle
ingenious suggests brilliant or notable inventiveness and resourcefulness
the batteries being kept recharged by an ingenious device — Dorothy Sayers
the ingenious Yankee, quick to adapt himself everywhere, easily extricating himself from situations — Matthew Josephson
Synonym: see in addition intelligent .
II. adverb
1. now dialect : very well : excellently
treated him real clever — Willa Cather
2. dialect Britain : directly , straight
you must go clever through the city
the dog jumped clever over the hedge