How do you use the word "clever" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "clever": You are too clever not to solve the hard problem. He was far from clever in his school days.

Clever Meaning

/ˈklɛv.ə/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

adjNimble with hands or body; dexterous; skillful; adept.

adjQuick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.

Sentence Examples

You are too clever not to solve the hard problem.

He was far from clever in his school days.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

smart intelligent cunning

Antonyms:

stupid

CEFR Practice Quiz

Her ____ solution to the tricky puzzle impressed everyone.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

She had a very ____ idea to solve the difficult math problem today.

Word Origin & History

From East Anglian dialectal English cliver (“expert at seizing”), from Middle English cliver (“tenacious”). * perhaps from Old English *clifer, clibbor (“clinging”); * or perhaps from Dutch, Low German, or East/Saterland Frisian (compare kluftich (“clever, prudent”), probably derived from Proto-West Germanic *kleuban (“to cleave, split”)); * or dialectal Norwegian klover (“ready, skillful”), itself borrowed from Middle Low German klever, related to kleven (“to stick”), from Old Saxon klibōn, from Proto-West Germanic *klibēn, related to the Old English word above; * possibly influenced by Old English clifer (“claw, hand”) (compare clawian (“to claw”)). Related to cleave. Perhaps influenced by Welsh celfydd (“talented, dexterous, expert”). Compare typologically Czech chytrý, Russian хи́трый (xítryj) (akin to хвата́ть (xvatátʹ)), also note схва́тывать на лету́ (sxvátyvatʹ na letú).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The cleverest and most prolific inventors, such as Reiner Knizia (who lives in England) are nerdy superstars. Euro (also “German-style”) games must not be confused with “Ameritrash” games, which generally involve high drama and employ plastic pieces, though arguing over what the difference is seems to be gamers' second-favourite pastime." — 2008 August 28, “German recreation: An affinity for rules?”, in The Economist, archived from the original on 02 Feb 2021:

"Lord Macaulay has said of Bunyan: “though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds. One of these minds produced ‘The Paradise Lost;’ the other, ‘The Pilgrim's Progress.’”" — 1860, John Timbs, School-Days of Eminent Men, page 177:

"He was not clever, poor fellow, he did not know what questions to ask; he asked the same questions again and again. He continued to show his own troubled thoughts, and the vague dread in his mind, […]" — 1892, Margaret Oliphant, The Heir Presumptive and the Heir Apparent, page 263:

"Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today." — 2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70:

"Mr. Woodhouse was almost as much interested in the business as the girls, and tried very often to recollect something worth their putting in. "So many clever riddles as there used to be when he was young--he wondered he could not remember them! but he hoped he should in time." And it always ended in "Kitty, a fair but frozen maid."" — 1816, Jane Austen, chapter 9, in Emma, volume 1:

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