説明中心

clever

[ˈklɛvər]

clever Definition

  • 1quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent
  • 2skilled at doing something; adroit

Using clever: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "clever" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She's a clever girl and always does well in school.

  • Example

    He came up with a clever solution to the problem.

  • Example

    The magician performed a clever trick that amazed the audience.

  • Example

    The company's clever marketing strategy helped boost sales.

clever Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with clever

  • overly confident in one's own intelligence or abilities, often leading to mistakes or misjudgments

    Example

    He thought he could outsmart the police, but he was too clever by half and got caught.

  • clever clogs

    a person who is irritatingly smug or self-satisfied about their intelligence or knowledge

    Example

    He's always showing off his knowledge and acting like a clever clogs.

  • clever dick

    a person who is irritatingly smug or self-satisfied about their intelligence or knowledge

    Example

    He's always showing off his knowledge and acting like a clever dick.

Origins of clever

from Old English 'clǣfer', meaning 'skillful, artful'

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Summary: clever in Brief

The term 'clever' [ˈklɛvər] denotes quick understanding, learning, and devising or applying ideas, as well as skillfulness and adroitness. It can refer to people, solutions, tricks, or strategies, as in 'She's a clever girl' or 'The company's clever marketing strategy.' The phrase 'too clever by half' warns against overconfidence, while 'clever clogs' and 'clever dick' describe irritatingly smug individuals.

How do native speakers use this expression?