What is the definition of clever?

Question

Some think it is being book smart, however some merely believe it is being smart in understanding interpretations of others. Or is it a combination of both? And do you need to work more than you play to be clever? What would be the outcome of being clever?

I'd like your opinions please.

Thank you

Victoria x

Answer 1

One who can easily dodge and bypass you.

Answer 2

there is a lot of difference between book learning and wisdom. Some people are naturally more intelligent than others. cleverness can sometimes imply an ability to " put one over " on someone else and describe a sort of natural wit, a survival instinct. My granddaughter has an amazing gift for Maths but not a lot of the common sense that will get her through life. What is it best to have ?

Answer 3

clever is a very misunderstood word! being clever is often perceived as having the ability to excell academically. but being clever isnotjust this. although it is great to score wellin exams it is equally important to be clever in other areas. soem people are emotionally clever. they are ableto empathise with others and are sensitive. some grade a students cannot do well socially so all tough they are clcver they are only clever in one aspect. on the other hand somepeople are very good in social situations, they are caring and have excellent social perception skills but, these people may have no formal qualifications. so yes. being clever is both of what you said and it can also be a combination of things.
i hopethis helped
xxx
x
nikki

Answer 4

I had a friend (He died last year) who was thought of as being clever because of his natural ability to draw. He would laugh and say, 'If I was clever, I'd make money out of it.'

He drew my father once, and I was astonished with his ability to capture my father's personality. There was something about the drawing that portrayed his anger. A few months before he died, I asked him if he'd draw me. He said he couldn't, because he knew me too well.

Was he clever, or was he just talented?

Many years ago,I did a lot of D.I.Y for a neighbour, He would often say how clever I was. But he was the clever one to get the jobs done without having to do any of the work.

If I was clever, I'd check the dictionary for clever. But sometimes being clever is seeing beyond the obvious....

Answer 5

clev·er
adjective, -er, -est.
1. mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence; able.
2. superficially skillful, witty, or original in character or construction; facile: It was an amusing, clever play, but of no lasting value.
3. showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious: His clever device was the first to solve the problem.
4. adroit with the hands or body; dexterous or nimble.
5. Older Uses.
a. suitable; convenient; satisfactory.
b. good-natured.
c. handsome.
d. in good health.

That's the actual definition, probably not what you wanted though. I think it's a combination of both of your suggestions. I think it is primarily understanding interpretations of others, but you need some book smarts to accomplish that.

I think, ultimately, it's being able to think creatively for yourself, without having to learn everything from a book. It's being quick witted in a conversation and thinking of new ways to describe every-day situations. Creating solutions to problems has also been accredited to cleverness, so kudos to every answerer in Y!.

Answer 6

It is showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others; "a cagey lawyer"; "too clever to be sound"
mentally quick and resourceful; "an apt pupil";
showing inventiveness and skill; "a clever gadget"; "the cunning maneuvers leading to his success"; "an ingenious solution to the problem"
Not necessarily book smart.

Answer 7

Intelligence is about academic "success" where as I think being clever is more about being able to problem solve and thinking on your feet.

Clever people are more able to adapt to circumstances and situations... If they fall over, they get up, and get on with it. They look for solutions not problems. See things as opportunity's. They learn what they can from where they can. They assimilate new learning and continue to develop more rounded personality's.

Answer 8

Clever is the ability to comprehend and apply knowledge in a manner that is both unique and useful.

Answer 9

Clever may be defined as an attribute associated to one who is more aware than I of some trifling subject...but it will do them no good.

Answer 10

this could take all night and i think long ans are boring.
the main aspect is really listening to other theories ( not being blinkered). thats intelligence.
closing your mind and dismissing others veiws shows arrogance and is so not clever!

Answer 11

Being able to recall and UNDERSTAND facts / theories and the ability to APPLY them in the right context.