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   Clev·er

   /ˈklevər/

   

   adjective

   • 1. quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent: "a clever and studious young woman" Similar intelligentbrightsmartbrillianttalentedgiftedprecociouscapableablecompetentaptproficienteducatedlearnederuditeacademicbookishknowledgeablewisesagaciousinformal:brainygeniusOpposite stupid
   • ▪ skilled at doing or achieving something; talented: "he was clever at getting what he wanted" Similar skillfuldexterousadroitdeftnimblenimble-fingeredhandyadeptskilledtalented
   • ▪ showing intelligence or skill; ingenious: "a simple but clever idea for helping people learn computing" Similar shrewdastutesharpacutequicksharp-wittedquick-wittedingeniousresourcefulcannycunningcraftyartfulwilyslickneatinformal:foxysavvyflypawkyas sharp as a tackcutewhip-smartOpposite ill-advisedfoolish
   • ▪ sensible; well-advised: "it wasn't too clever, leaving Dolly alone"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘quick to catch hold’, only recorded in this period): perhaps of Dutch or Low German origin, and related to cleave2. In the late 16th century the term came to mean (probably through dialect use) ‘manually skillful’; the sense ‘possessing mental agility’ dates from the early 18th century.

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • C

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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