clever
gb/klˈɛvɚ/ us/klˈɛvɚ/
B1
English
~ 2500
okos, ügyes, ötletes, leleményes, szellemes
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is clever at [doing something]
She came up with a clever way to save money.
Kitalált egy okos módot arra, hogy pénzt spóroljon.
That's a clever solution to a difficult problem.
Ez okos megoldás egy nehéz problémára.
The clever student finished the puzzle in minutes.
He made a clever remark that made everyone laugh.
Learner examples
My sister is very clever.
A nővérem nagyon okos.
He is clever at fixing cars.
Nagyon ügyes az autók javításában.
That is a clever idea.
She is clever with numbers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'clever' with 'creative'. While 'clever' can involve creativity, it focuses more on quick thinking and problem-solving ability.
Meaning
Quick to understand or solve problems
Collocations
clever idea
|clever solution
|clever plan
|clever trick
Synonyms
smart (Very close in meaning; 'smart' is more common in American English for intelligence in general.)
|
bright (Suggests natural intelligence, often about learning quickly.)
Antonyms
stupid (Lacking intelligence or the ability to think quickly.)
|
slow-witted (Taking a long time to understand or respond.)
Themes
intelligence
|communication
|daily life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to think quickly and find smart answers or ideas.
Mentally quick and resourceful in understanding, learning, or solving problems.
B2
2
ötletes
B1
leleményes
B2
Usage pattern:
a clever [device/method/design]
The engineer built a clever device to save energy.
A mérnök egy ötletes eszközt épített, amely energiát takarít meg.
This is a clever design for a small kitchen.
Ez ötletes kialakítás egy kis konyhához.
She found a clever method to organize her files.
Learner examples
He made a clever tool for the job.
Ötletes szerszámot készített a munkához.
This is a clever design for the garden.
Ez egy ötletes terv a kerthez.
She used a clever way to open the box.
Meaning
Skillful and inventive in making or doing things
Collocations
clever design
|clever device
|clever method
Synonyms
ingenious ('Ingenious' suggests especially original and inventive skill.)
Antonyms
clumsy (Lacking skill or effectiveness in making or doing something.)
Themes
creativity
|technology
|daily life
|work
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Good at making or doing things in a smart and new way.
Showing skill and inventiveness in making or doing something, often in an unusual or effective way.
B2
INFORMAL
3
szellemes
B2
Usage pattern:
a clever [remark/comment/reply]
He always has a clever reply ready.
Mindig van készen egy szellemes válasza.
Her clever comments kept the audience laughing.
Szellemes megjegyzésein végig nevetett a közönség.
That was a clever joke you told.
Learner examples
She made a clever joke.
Szellemes viccet mondott.
He gave a clever answer to the question.
Szellemes választ adott a kérdésre.
That was a clever remark.
Meaning
Witty and quick in conversation
Collocations
clever remark
|clever comment
|clever reply
Synonyms
witty ('Witty' focuses more on humor and wordplay than problem-solving.)
Antonyms
dull (Lacking liveliness or sharpness in conversation.)
Themes
communication
|humor
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to say funny or smart things quickly.
Quick to make amusing or witty remarks, often showing verbal skill.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clever
IPA
GB/klˈɛvɚ/
US/klˈɛvɚ/
Syllables & stress
clev - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (clev)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: clever
- Comparative: cleverer
- Superlative: cleverest
Word family
Forms
cleverer
adjective
cleverest
adjective
Core family
cleverly
adverb
cleverness
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unclever
adjective
Expressions
clever clogs
1/klˈɛvɚ klˈɔɡz/
idiom
informal
Person who acts smarter than others
Someone who shows off how smart they are, often in an annoying way.
Examples
- Alright, clever clogs, can you do it better?
- Don't be such a clever clogs all the time.
too clever by half
1/tˈu klˈɛvɚ bˈaɪ hˈæf/
idiom
informal
Annoyingly proud of one's own cleverness
Trying to be so smart that it becomes annoying or causes problems.
Examples
- He's too clever by half, always correcting everyone.
- Don't be too clever by half—it might backfire.