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0 English - Dictionary monolingual

Clever

ˈklɛvər
Very common
~ 2400
~ 2400, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Intelligent or quick-witted, Skillful or adept, Deceptive or cunning

Clever - Meanings

Intelligent or quick-witted

Example: She's a clever student who always understands the material quickly.
Usage: formalContext: academic or professional settings
Note: Often used to describe someone who is intellectually sharp or has a knack for solving problems.

Skillful or adept

Example: He's a clever chef who can create delicious dishes with limited ingredients.
Usage: formalContext: artistic or practical contexts
Note: Refers to someone who is talented or proficient in a particular skill or craft.

Deceptive or cunning

Example: The clever fox outsmarted the hunters by leading them in the wrong direction.
Usage: informalContext: storytelling or informal conversations
Note: Can have a slightly negative connotation, implying slyness or trickery.

Clever's synonyms

smart

Smart implies quick-witted intelligence and the ability to think and learn quickly.
Example: She is a smart student who always gets top grades.
Note: Clever can sometimes carry a connotation of being cunning or deceitful, while smart typically focuses on intelligence and quick thinking.

intelligent

Intelligent refers to the ability to understand complex ideas, think critically, and solve problems effectively.
Example: He is an intelligent scientist who has made groundbreaking discoveries.
Note: Clever often implies a quickness in understanding or solving problems, while intelligence suggests a broader capacity for learning and reasoning.

bright

Bright indicates a high level of mental capacity and quickness in learning.
Example: The bright student excelled in all subjects at school.
Note: Clever can sometimes imply a more creative or inventive approach, while bright focuses on mental acuity and quick learning.

sharp

Sharp suggests keen intelligence, quick perception, and the ability to think clearly and accurately.
Example: His sharp mind allowed him to come up with innovative solutions to the problem.
Note: Clever may emphasize ingenuity or resourcefulness, while sharp emphasizes mental acuity and quick thinking.

Clever expressions, common phrases

Smart cookie

This phrase refers to someone who is intelligent and quick-witted.
Example: She always finds a solution to every problem; she's a real smart cookie.
Note: While 'clever' generally means showing intelligence or quickness of mind, 'smart cookie' specifically emphasizes intelligence and resourcefulness.

Sharp as a tack

This idiom describes someone who is very clever or quick-thinking.
Example: Even at his old age, Grandpa's mind is still as sharp as a tack.
Note: Similar to 'clever,' this phrase highlights quick thinking and mental acuity, but 'sharp as a tack' also implies a high level of intelligence.

Wise guy

A 'wise guy' is someone who is sarcastic, sly, or clever in a way that may be annoying to others.
Example: John always has a clever response to everything; he's such a wise guy.
Note: While 'clever' generally has a positive connotation, 'wise guy' often carries a negative or sarcastic undertone.

Cunning as a fox

This idiom describes someone who is clever, crafty, and able to deceive others.
Example: The thief was cunning as a fox, managing to steal the jewels without leaving a trace.
Note: While 'clever' can imply intelligence and quick thinking, being 'cunning as a fox' specifically refers to being skillful in deceit or trickery.

Quick on the uptake

This phrase describes someone who is quick to understand or learn new things.
Example: She's always quick on the uptake, grasping new concepts faster than anyone else.
Note: While 'clever' generally implies intelligence, being 'quick on the uptake' emphasizes the speed and efficiency of understanding or learning.

Brainiac

A 'brainiac' is someone who is exceptionally intelligent or knowledgeable.
Example: Tom is a real brainiac when it comes to solving complex puzzles.
Note: While 'clever' denotes quick thinking and intelligence, 'brainiac' specifically highlights high intellectual capacity or expertise.

Einstein

Referring to Albert Einstein, this nickname is used for someone who is exceptionally intelligent or innovative.
Example: Her ability to solve math problems effortlessly earned her the nickname 'Einstein' among her classmates.
Note: Compared to 'clever,' 'Einstein' emphasizes extraordinary intelligence and innovation, often in the context of academic or scientific achievements.

Clever everyday (slang) expressions

Brainy

Brainy is a slang term for someone who is very intelligent or clever. It is often used to describe someone who is academically gifted.
Example: She's the brainy one in the group; she always knows the answers.
Note: Brainy specifically refers to intelligence or cleverness related to academic pursuits.

Clever clogs

Clever clogs is a playful term used to describe someone who is clever or smart. It is often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner.
Example: Look at him solving that puzzle so quickly; he's such a clever clogs.
Note: Clever clogs adds a playful or teasing element to the description of someone's cleverness.

Astute

Astute means having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage. It often implies sharpness or shrewdness in judgment.
Example: Her astute observations helped the team identify the problem quickly.
Note: Astute conveys a sense of keen insight and perceptiveness in addition to cleverness.

Crafty

Crafty describes someone who is clever at achieving one's aims through deceit or evasion. It can have a slightly negative connotation of being cunning or sly.
Example: He's very crafty when it comes to negotiating deals; he always gets what he wants.
Note: Crafty implies a level of cunning or deceptiveness in one's cleverness.

Savvy

Savvy refers to practical knowledge, understanding, or perceptiveness. It often implies a combination of intelligence and common sense in dealing with everyday situations.
Example: She's socially savvy; she knows exactly how to interact in different situations.
Note: Savvy encompasses a broader sense of practical intelligence and understanding beyond just cleverness.

Clever - Examples

Clever people can solve problems quickly.
She came up with a clever plan to save money.
The detective was very clever in solving the case.

Clever grammar

Clever - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: clever
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): cleverer
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): cleverest
Adjective (Adjective): clever
Syllables, Separation and Stress
clever Contains 2 syllables: clev • er
Phonetic transcription: ˈkle-vər
clev er , ˈkle vər (The red syllable is stressed)

Clever - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
clever: ~ 2400 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.