clev·er 
/ˈklɛvɚ/ adjective
clev·er·er; clev·er·est /ˈklɛvɚ/ adjective [also more clever; most clever] 1 : intelligent and able to learn things quickly
▪ A few clever [=smart, bright] students have started a business recycling old computers. ▪ Some cats are clever enough to figure out how to operate doorknobs. 2 : showing intelligent thinking
▪ a clever design/invention ▪ That's the cleverest idea I've heard yet! ▪ She found a clever hiding place for the letter. — often used in a joking or ironic way to describe a foolish idea, action, etc. ▪ Whose clever idea was it to leave the window open? 3 : funny in a way that shows intelligence
▪ I enjoyed the play's clever [=witty] dialogue. 4 Brit, informal : talking in a rude way that is meant to show you are smart
▪ Don't you start getting clever [=(US) fresh] with me! [=don't speak to me in a disrespectful way] 5 : good at doing things with your hands : skillful
▪ Even as a little boy playing with blocks he was clever with his hands. ▪ a clever machinist 6 Brit, informal — used in various negative expressions to suggest that someone is not feeling well ▪ I'd had a few drinks and wasn't feeling very clever. ▪ For someone who hasn't been feeling too clever lately, he just played a great round of golf.
▪ A few clever [=smart, bright] students have started a business recycling old computers. ▪ Some cats are clever enough to figure out how to operate doorknobs.
▪ a clever design/invention ▪ That's the cleverest idea I've heard yet! ▪ She found a clever hiding place for the letter. — often used in a joking or ironic way to describe a foolish idea, action, etc. ▪ Whose clever idea was it to leave the window open?
▪ I enjoyed the play's clever [=witty] dialogue.
▪ Don't you start getting clever [=(US) fresh] with me! [=don't speak to me in a disrespectful way]
▪ Even as a little boy playing with blocks he was clever with his hands. ▪ a clever machinist
too clever by half
chiefly Brit, informal : clever in a way that is annoying or that causes problems
▪ an arrogant politician who is too clever by half ▪ a complex computer program that is too clever by half
▪ an arrogant politician who is too clever by half ▪ a complex computer program that is too clever by half
— clev·er·ly adverb
▪ a cleverly designed gadget ▪ cleverly written dialogue
▪ a cleverly designed gadget ▪ cleverly written dialogue
— clev·er·ness noun [noncount]
▪ the cleverness of the idea ▪ a cat's cleverness
▪ the cleverness of the idea ▪ a cat's cleverness
