# clever

/ˈkɫɛvɝ/ (US) · /klˈɛvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clever
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. intelligent

adjective · CEFR A2

quick to learn and understand things.

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

- The clever student finished the difficult math test in half the time.
- She was clever enough to realise that the initial data set was flawed before the team wasted weeks on further analysis.

### 2. ingenious or well-designed

adjective · CEFR B1

showing a smart or original way of doing something.

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

- That is a clever way to store your shoes under the bed.
- The architect devised a clever solution to the lighting problem by installing a series of angled mirrors in the central atrium.

### 3. skillful with hands

adjective · CEFR B2

good at making things or using your hands.

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

- He is very clever with his hands and can fix almost any machine.
- The artisan was remarkably clever with a chisel, carving intricate patterns into the hardwood with effortless precision.

### 4. cunning or manipulative

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The fox in the story was clever and managed to steal the cheese.
- The politician was known for being a clever negotiator who could steer a conversation toward his own goals without others noticing.

### 5. healthy

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect · Informal

feeling healthy and full of energy.

For teachers: physically fit, healthy, or recovered from an illness.

- I am not feeling very clever today, so I think I will stay in bed.
- After a week of heavy flu, he finally admitted he was feeling a bit more clever and ready to return to work.

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

## Examples

- She is a very clever student who always has the right answer.
- The engineer came up with a clever way to fix the engine using only basic tools.
- While the plan was undeniably clever, it relied too heavily on the assumption that every participant would remain silent under pressure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.