clever

Universal Words adjective (cleverer, cleverest) HELPNOTE You can also use more clever and most clever. 1 (especially BrE) quick at learning and understanding things SYNINTELLIGENT: a clever child * Clever girl! * How clever of you to work it out! * He's too clever by half, if you ask me (= it annoys me or makes me suspicious). 2 ~ (at sth) (especially BrE) skilful: She's clever at getting what she wants. * He's clever with his hands. 3 showing intelligence or skill, for example in the design of an object, in an idea or sb's actions: a clever little gadget * What a clever idea! * That (= what you just did) wasn't very clever, was it? (= it wasn't sensible) * Admitting her mistake may have been quite a clever move on her part. 4 (BrE, informal, disapproving) quick with words in a way that annoys people or does not show respect: Don't you get clever with me! cleverly adverb: The bar's lay-out has been cleverly designed to give a feeling of space without losing a certain cosiness. cleverness noun [U]: Brain size and cleverness do not go together. * linguistic / technical cleverness