clever
adjective
clev·er
| \ ˈkle-vər
\
\
Definition of clever
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Other Words from clever
cleverish
\ ˈkle-v(ə-)rish
\
adjective
\
adjective
cleverly
\ ˈkle-vər-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
cleverness
\ ˈkle-vər-nəs
\
noun
\
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for clever
Synonyms
artful, creative, imaginative, ingenious, innovative, inventive
Antonyms
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Examples of clever in a Sentence
All of Laptsev went to stare at the bride-to-be—she was no beauty, but everyone could see that she was clever, sophisticated …
— Isaac Bashevis Singer, New Yorker, 29 Sept. 2003
… the three of them may give Gray Davis, who was too clever for his own good, his comeuppance.
— Garrison Keillor, Time, 25 Aug. 2003
Some thought he had no redeeming value whatsoever. A sociopath. A clever manipulator …
— Louise Erdrich, New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2002
Those who can't write poetry, write clever letters to the editor. Those who can't write clever letters to the editor, write angry letters to the editor.
— Matt Groening, Utne Reader, November/December 1987
The old lady was clever enough and he thought that if she had started from any of the right premises, more might have been expected of her.
— Flannery O'Connor, Everything That Rises Must Converge, 1967
Some cats are clever enough to figure out how to operate doorknobs.
That's the cleverest idea I've heard yet!
She found a clever hiding place for the letter.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Jemisin’s sprawling narrative is a clever synthesis of Thrones-like fantasy and drama with science and our very real anxieties about climate change and social justice. — Adam Epstein, Quartzy, "George R.R. Martin may never finish those books. Here’s what to read while you wait," 24 Aug. 2019 The effect is hard to measure directly with current technology, but researchers hope to find clever new ways to infer these rotation alignments. — Quanta Magazine, "To Make Two Black Holes Collide, Try Three," 15 Aug. 2019 Jill Anna Ponasik, who has a track record of staging clever, small-footprint productions, directs Skylight Music Theatre's take on this classic American musical. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Hamilton' and 23 other shows to see during Milwaukee's 2019 performing arts season," 15 Aug. 2019 In fact, this is the seventh year the Huntsville mom has come up with a clever idea for a photo to share on Facebook and Instagram. — Michelle Matthews | Mmatthews@al.com, al, "Huntsville mom’s back-to-school photo session is a funny family tradition," 8 Aug. 2019 The clever inclusion of a fiery giardiniera pepper mix keeps things lively. — Lindsey Mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "This 50-year-old lunch spot is the best place to grab a sandwich in downtown Louisville," 7 Aug. 2019 Preston’s clever idea marked a steady (but not yet complete) shift in awareness surrounding sustainable design and production. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "From LV x Supreme to Beychella: 14 Collaborations That Actually Mattered in the 2010s," 18 July 2019 In the hottest places, there may never be a substitute for air-conditioning, but for the rest of us a bit of clever design could go a long way. — Helen Czerski, WSJ, "Ventilation Tips From the Animal Kingdom," 1 Aug. 2018 Episode 1) Hell literally broke loose at the end of season 2, and Supernatural’s third season kicks off with a clever case spinning out of that finale: the seven deadly sins are now roaming the Earth once more. — Samantha Highfill, EW.com, "Supernatural binge guide: 75 essential episodes to watch," 31 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clever.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for clever
clever
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of clever
: intelligent and able to learn things quickly
: showing intelligent thinking
: funny in a way that shows intelligence
See the full definition for clever in the English Language Learners Dictionary
clever
adjective
clev·er
| \ ˈkle-vər
\
\
cleverer;
cleverest
Kids Definition of clever
1
: having a quick inventive mind
a clever designer
2
: showing intelligence, wit, or imagination
a clever joke a clever idea
3
: showing skill in using the hands
He was very strong and clever with his knife …— Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden