clever
pronunciation
How to pronounce clever in British English:
UK [ˈklevə(r)]
How to pronounce clever in American English:
US [ˈklevər]
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- Adjective:
- skillful (or showing skill) in adapting means to ends
- showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
- mentally quick and resourceful
- showing inventiveness and skill
Word Origin
- clever
- clever: [13] Clever is rather a mystery word. There is one isolated instance of what appears to be the word in an early 13th-century bestiary, where it means ‘dextrous’, and the connotations of ‘clutching something’ have led to speculation that it may be connected with claw. It does not appear on the scene again until the late 16th century, when its associations with ‘agility’ and ‘sprightliness’ may point to a link with Middle Dutch klever, of similar meaning. The modern sense ‘intelligent’ did not develop until the 18th century.
- clever (adj.)
- 1580s, "handy, dexterous," apparently from East Anglian dialectal cliver "expert at seizing," perhaps from East Frisian klüfer "skillful," or Norwegian dialectic klover "ready, skillful," and perhaps influenced by Old English clifer "claw, hand" (early usages seem to refer to dexterity). Or perhaps akin to Old Norse kleyfr "easy to split" and from a root related to cleave "to split." Extension to intellect is first recorded 1704. This is a low word, scarcely ever used but in burlesque or conversation; and applied to any thing a man likes, without a settled meaning. [Johnson, 1755] The meaning has narrowed since, but clever also often in old use and dialect meant "well-shaped, attractive-looking" and in 19c. American English sometimes "good-natured, agreeable." Related: Cleverly; cleverness.
Example
- 1. They are often clever and hard-working .
- 2. Clever shopping bag designed to promote canon 500d camera .
- 3. The two researchers overcame these challenges through clever engineering .
- 4. Your nose is exceptionally clever .
- 5. See the clever symbolism here ?