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REFERENCE

clever

adj.
US //ˈkɫɛvɝ// UK //klˈɛvɐ// clever
  1. 1 intelligent (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    quick to learn and understand things.

    possessing or displaying mental agility and the ability to learn or understand things quickly.

    Example

    The clever student finished the difficult math test in half the time.

    Example

    She was clever enough to realise that the initial data set was flawed before the team wasted weeks on further analysis.
  2. 2 ingenious or well-designed (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    showing a smart or original way of doing something.

    demonstrating inventiveness, originality, or effective design in a process or object.

    Example

    That is a clever way to store your shoes under the bed.

    Example

    The architect devised a clever solution to the lighting problem by installing a series of angled mirrors in the central atrium.
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  1. 3 skillful with hands (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    good at making things or using your hands.

    dexterous or physically skillful, particularly in the context of manual crafts or technical tasks.

    Example

    He is very clever with his hands and can fix almost any machine.

    Example

    The artisan was remarkably clever with a chisel, carving intricate patterns into the hardwood with effortless precision.
  2. 4 cunning or manipulative (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    good at getting what you want, sometimes by tricking others.

    mentally quick and resourceful in a way that may be perceived as deceptive or manipulative.

    Example

    The fox in the story was clever and managed to steal the cheese.

    Example

    The politician was known for being a clever negotiator who could steer a conversation toward his own goals without others noticing.
  3. 5 healthy (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Dialect Informal

    feeling healthy and full of energy.

    physically fit, healthy, or recovered from an illness.

    Example

    I am not feeling very clever today, so I think I will stay in bed.

    Example

    After a week of heavy flu, he finally admitted he was feeling a bit more clever and ready to return to work.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is specific to certain British dialects and is almost always used in the negative ('not feeling clever') to mean feeling unwell.
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”).

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