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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

clever

/ˈklɛv.ɚ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does clever mean?

adjective

  1. Nimble with hands or body; dexterous; skillful; adept.
  2. Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.
  3. Mentally quick and resourceful; skilled at achieving what one wants in a mentally agile and inventive way.
More meanings (10)

adjective

  1. Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.
  2. Showing mental quickness and resourcefulness.
  3. Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
  4. Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.
  5. Possessing magical abilities.
  6. (archaic) Sane; in one's right mind.
  7. (dated) Good-natured; obliging.
  8. (obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.
  9. (obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.

proper noun

  1. A city in Missouri.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈklɛv.ɚ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.
active 6th century B.C. SunziThe Art of WarTranslated by Lionel GilesProject Gutenberg ebook #132
“American girls are as clever at concealing their parents, as English women are at concealing their past,” he said, rising to go.
Oscar WildeThe Picture of Dorian GrayProject Gutenberg ebook #174
More book examples (3)
I felt they expected me to say clever things, and I never could think of any till after the party was over.
W. Somerset (William Somerset) MaughamThe Moon and SixpenceProject Gutenberg ebook #222
He did not go himself to the spot, but sent a young and clever fellow, Gerassim, to do the stealing for him.
Leo, graf TolstoyThe forged coupon, and other storiesProject Gutenberg ebook #243
"I've beaten a lion--a lion! Dear me, I ought to have been King long ago, I'm so clever, so big, so strong--oh!"
Sara Cone BryantHow to Tell Stories to Children, and Some Stories to TellProject Gutenberg ebook #474