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clever

adj.
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈkɫɛvɝ// UK //klˈɛvɐ// clever Archaic General-service Informal

adj. quick to learn and understand things. You use it to describe someone who is smart or a solution that is very creative.

adj. possessing or displaying mental agility, quick-wittedness, or ingenuity. Often used to describe an effective but simple solution to a complex problem.


SIMPLE

She is a very clever student who always has the right answer.

CONTEXTUAL

The engineer came up with a clever way to fix the engine using only basic tools.

COMPLEX

While the plan was undeniably clever, it relied too heavily on the assumption that every participant would remain silent under pressure.

Synonyms
Origin

From East Anglian dialectal English cliver (“expert at seizing”), from Middle English cliver (“tenacious”). perhaps from Old English clifer, clibbor (“clinging”); or perhaps from Dutch, Low German, or East/Saterland Frisian (compare kluftich (“clever, prudent”), probably derived from Proto-West Germanic kleuban (“to cleave, split”)); or dialectal Norwegian klover (“ready, skillful”), itself borrowed from Middle Low German klever, related to kleven (“to stick”), from Old Saxon klibōn, from Proto-West Germanic klibēn, related to the Old English word above; * possibly influenced by Old English clifer (“claw, hand”) (compare clawian (“to claw”)). Related to cleave. Perhaps influenced by Welsh celfydd (“talented, dexterous, expert”).

Usage

Gradable adjective; commonly used with 'at' when referring to a specific skill ('clever at math').

Idioms3 entries

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