Reverse Dictionary: CLEVER

ADJECTIVES
► ABLE clever in looking after one’s own interests, shrewd → 1931 Sc.
► AKAMAI clever, smart, skilful, learned, expert, ingenious → 1840 Hawaii
► ANCIENT clever, cunning → 1880 Eng. dial.
► ASPERT clever, apt, able, ready → 1423 obs.
► AULD-FARRANT clever, witty, ingenious, sagacious, prudent, knowing, cunning → 1721 Sc.
► BAIN clever, nimble → 1691 Eng. dial.
► BOBBISH clever, smart, active → 1890 cant (Bk.)
► BRAINY clever, knowledgeable → 1845 sl.
► CANNY clever, skilful → 1768 Sc.
► COOL highly clever or skilled → 1918 colloq., orig. US
► CUTE AS A SHITHOUSE RAT clever in a devious, often criminal way → 1980 Amer. dial.
► CUTE clever, knowledgeable, shrewd, sharp, keen → 1731 sl., now chiefly US, often derogatory
► DAB clever, skilful or skilled; expert; very conversant → 18C colloq.
► DEAD THICK very clever → L19 Sc. sl.
► EDGIE ► EDGY clever, smart, sharp; quick, active, both mentally and physically → 1825 Sc.
► ENGINOUS clever, ingenious, crafty, cunning; deceitful → c1325 obs.
► FAIRDIE ► FAIRDY clever, handy → 1724 Sc.
► FALSE clever, sharp, shrewd, precocious; generally applied to children and animals → 1866 Eng. dial.
► FEATY clever, handy, wide-awake → 1844
► FEERIE clever, active, nimble → 1810 Sc.
► FENDY clever, resourceful, good at managing, economical, thrifty → 1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► FESS lively, active, strong; smart, clever → 1852 Eng. dial.
► FLICKY clever → 1971 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► FOXY clever, intellectual → 1900s sl.
► GNIB ready, quick, clever → 1742 Sc.
► GRADELY clever, accomplished → 1893 Eng. dial.
► GUMPTIOUS clever, vain, self-important → 1853
► HAGHER clever, skilful, dexterous; apt, fit → c1200 obs.
► HAIRY clever, sharp, capable; cunning → 1905 N. Ireland (Bk.)
► HANDSOME 1. clever, apt, skilled; said of an agent → 1547 obs.
2. clever, appropriate, apt, dexterous, skilful, clever, happy; said of action → 1563-87 obs.
► HEADISH clever, intelligent, sharp → 1902 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HEADY clever, having or giving proof of brains → 1895 Eng. dial.
► KEEN clever, wise, learned → a1000 obs.
► LUMMY clever, first-rate; jolly → 1838 sl.
► MANNY clever; used ironically → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MART-ALECKY ostentatiously or smugly clever → 1889 colloq., orig. US
► MEAN very clever, very good, adroit → 1910s sl., orig. US
► NAP clever, expert; particularly good at one’s trade, or at any game of skill → 1881 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► NAPPER clever at anything → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► NATTY clever, ingenious; handy, deft; industrious → 1888 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► NAWPY clever, intelligent, shrewd; excelling → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► NESE-WISE clever, sagacious → 1790 Sc.
► NIFTY clever, skilful, agile → 1902 sl., orig. US
► NOBBY smart, clever → 1845 sl.
► NORTH clever, cunning → 1700 sl.
► NOW AND NEVER ► NOW OR NEVER clever → 1882 Brit. rhyming sl.
► NUBBY clever → 1946 Amer. dial.
► NUMMY clever, capable → 1846 UK criminals’ sl.
► OLD clever, sly, crafty, cunning → 1722
► PARLISH ► PARLOUS clever, acute, shrewd; bold, dashing → 1785 Eng. dial.
► PEART clever, sprightly; lively; in good health → 1828 Amer. dial.
► POINTY-HEADED clever, knowledgeable → 1972 US sl., derogatory
► PRETTY cunning, crafty; later, clever, skilful, able → 1000
► QUAINT clever, ingenious; wise, knowing; skilled → a1250 obs.
► QUEME clever, skilled; smart, active → c1400 obs.
► QUICK clever and well-dressed → L19 UK society sl.
► READY-HANDED clever with the hands, quick and ready → 1890 Sc.
► RID-HAND clever, ready with the hands → 1824 Sc.
► RIGHT SMART extremely clever → 1857 sl.
► SALTY clever; tasteful → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SANSHACH sarcastically clever, wily, crafty; shrewd → 1808 Sc.
► SAPPY clever, smart, compact → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SAVVY clever, knowledgeable → 1905 sl.
► SIGHTY clever, keen-sighted → a1425 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► SKILLWISE clever, intelligent, discerning → a1300 obs.
► SMART-ARSE ► SMART-ASS smugly clever → 1960 US sl.
► SMART-ARSED ► SMART-ASSED smugly clever → 1960 US sl.
► SMART AS A STEEL-TRAP extremely clever and bright; very sharp and shrewd; intellectually alert, quick-witted → 1821 Amer. dial.
► SMART AS A WHIP very sharp or lively; extremely intelligent or clever → 1821 colloq., chiefly US
► SMARTY clever, knowing, esp. ostentatiously or smugly so → 1850
► SMARTY-BOOTS overly or obnoxiously clever → 1962
► SMARTY-PANTS overly or obnoxiously clever → 1932 colloq., orig. US
► SMEIGH clever, cunning → c1200 obs.
► SMOOTH excellent; first-rate, superior; clever, ‘neat’ → 1893 colloq., orig. US
► SNAZZY clever and desirable → 1932 Amer. sl.
► SPACK clever, intelligent → a1200 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
► SPRAG smart, clever → 1616
► SUBTILE clever, dexterous, skilful → c1374 obs.
► SUBTLE clever, skilful, expert, dexterous; said of craftsmen, etc. → a1300 arch.
► TACKY clever, good, skilled → 1950s W. Indies sl.
► TIDY clever, intelligent → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TIGHT clever, cunning; dexterous, skilled, expert → 1669 Sc. & Eng. dial. obs.
► TIPPY highly clever or ingenious; neat, smart → 1863 colloq.
► VARMENT ► VARMINT clever, knowing, cunning → 1829 sl., now Eng. dial.
► WAINT clever; stout → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► WELL-HANDED clever at particular work → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► WHIPPY clever, sharp, intelligent, alert, vigorous → 1967 US high school sl. (Bk.)
► WISE-ASS ostentatiously or smugly clever → 1972 US sl., derogatory
► WISE-ASSED ostentatiously or smugly clever → 1967 US sl., derogatory
► WITTY clever, skilful, intelligent → 1952 Amer. dial.
► YAP ► YAUP clever, cunning; shrewd, astute; nimble, active → a1300 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.

ADVERBS
► CUNNINGLY with skill, knowledge, or wisdom; wisely, cleverly, knowingly → 1385 obs.
► FEATLY cleverly, deftly, skilfully → 1436 arch.
► FEATOUSLY cleverly, dexterously, nimbly, properly; said of actions → c1350 obs.
► FEERILIE cleverly, actively, nimbly → 1825 Sc.
► GAINLY cleverly, handily, readily, dexterously, successfully; easily → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HANDSOMELY cleverly, skilfully, dexterously → 1551 obs.
► PAWKILY cleverly, slyly, craftily, shrewdly → 1725 Sc.
► PRETTILY in a cunning or clever manner; ingeniously, skilfully → 1450 arch.
► SUBTILELY ► SUBTILLY cleverly, dexterously; also, with acuteness or perspicacity → c1400 obs.
► SUBTLY cleverly, dexterously, skilfully; ingeniously, artfully, cunningly → c1350 arch.
► TIGHTLY cleverly, dexterously; deftly, neatly; properly, correctly → 1790 Sc. & Eng. dial. obs.

NOUNS
► ANTS PANTS the ultimate in style, novelty, or cleverness → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► CAN ► CANN ► KANN cleverness, ability, knowledge → 1768 Sc.
► CLEVERALITY cleverness, smartness, ability → 1828 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
► COCUM ► COKUM ► KOCUM ► KOKUM cleverness, shrewdness; good sense; ability; acumen; judgement; knowledge; cunning → 1848 sl.
► CUNNINGHEAD knowingness; skilfulness, skill, cleverness → 1475 obs.
► CUNNINGNESS knowingness; skilfulness, skill, cleverness → 1400 obs.
► CURIOSITY cleverness, skill, ingenuity; proficiency attained by careful application → 1603 obs.
► FALSENESS cleverness → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HANDSOMENESS cleverness, skill, dexterity, ability; propriety, becomingness, decency → 1555 obs.
► INGENY 1. mental ability; genius, talent, cleverness, ingenuity → 1474 obs.
2. an invention; a clever contrivance → 1588 obs.
► MACKDOM the world of clever, influential people → 1960s African-American sl.
► NATTINESS cleverness, ingenuity → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► PAUK ► PAWK a clever, sly way; a trick; a wile → 1811 Sc.
► PRETTINESS cleverness; amusingness → 1674 obs.
► QUAINTISE 1. cleverness, wisdom, skill, ingenuity → 1297 obs.
2. an instance of cleverness, cunning or craft; a device, a stratagem, a trick → 1297 obs.
► SMART, THE those who are neat, clever, witty, etc.; smart people or things as a class → 1831
► SMART-ALECKISM ostentatious or smug cleverness → 1886 colloq., orig. US
► SMART-ALECKRY ostentatious or smug cleverness → 1918 colloq., orig. US
► SMARTS, THE intelligence; cleverness, acumen, wits → 1964 colloq., orig. & chiefly US
► SMART TALK clever, witty, or persuasive talk, esp. of an insincere nature → 1731
► SUBTILITY cleverness, skill, ingenuity → c1375 obs.
► SUBTILTY 1. cleverness, skill, dexterity → c1386 obs.
2. a clever or cunning device, artifice, stratagem → c1386 obs.
► SUBTLETY cleverness, skill, dexterity → c1375 obs.
► WRINKLE a clever device, a cunning trick, or method, esp. a new one → L16 UK

NOUNS – PERSON
► APTCOCK a clever little fellow → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BAD BOY a clever and attractive Black male → 1984 African-American usage (Bk.)
► BAILIE ► BAILIFF a clever man → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► BB’s a clever person; a teacher (Big Brains) → 1986 US sl.
► BEL-ESPRIT a clever genius; a brilliant wit → 1638
► BILLIE ► BILLY a person who is clever at something; a person who is eminently suitable for some purpose → 1881 Sc.
► BLACK DIAMOND a person whose rough exterior hides a heart of gold; a rough but clever, or good, person → 1821 UK sl.
► BOY a clever, smart, capable fellow; used in derision as well as praise → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRAIN a clever or knowledgeable person → 1914 sl.
► BRAIN, THE ► BRAINS, THE the cleverest person in a group, etc.; the mastermind → 1844 colloq.
► BRAIN-CARRIER  ► BRAINS-CARRIER  the cleverest person in a group, etc. → 1828 obs.
► BRIGHT SPARK a clever, knowledgeable, or witty person → 1974 sl., ironic or sarcastic usage
► BRIGHT a person, esp. a child or pupil, regarded as clever or intelligent → 1937
► BRIGHT YOUNG THING a young person regarded as clever, beautiful, talented, or energetic → 1842
► CHEESE a clever or smart fellow → c1860 Brit. school & university sl.
► CLEVER DICK a person who shows off their own cleverness → 1999 (Bk.)
► CLEVER STICK ► CLEVER STICKS a clever, smart, or knowing person → 1959 sl., often ironic or sarcastic usage
► CLINKER a clever person; an adept → 1893 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► DAB a clever or dexterous person; a skilful person; an expert; a proficient; an adept → 1691
► DABACH a clever workman; an expert in any business → 1939 Sc.
► DAB HAND a person who is clever at any kind of manual labour; a skilled person; an adept or expert; a proficient → 1828
► DABSTER a clever or versatile person; one who excels greatly; a proficient → 1708
► EEL-DROWNER an exceedingly clever fellow → 1825 Sc., used ironically and generally with negative 
► FEATHERED SNAKE a clever scoundrel → 1930 Amer. dial.
► HAND a clever performer; an adept → 1870 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
► HARD-NAP a clever, shrewd fellow → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► HEAD-CADAB a clever, sharp person; one quick of understanding → 1823 Sc.
► HEADCASE a clever person, one who believes themselves to be so → 1967 sl.
► HEAD-LANGUAGER a clever fellow; a prodigy → 1879 Eng. dial.
► HEAD-PIECE a clever, intelligent, or intellectual person → 1647
► HEIDY KNITE a clever fellow → 1890 Sc.
► HIGHBROW a clever person; a highly intellectual or cultured person; a person with sophisticated taste; a snob; an educated person → 1898 orig. US
► JIG a clever man → 1896 Winchester College usage (Bk.)
► LAD OF WAX a clever, sharp youth → 1826 Eng. dial.
► LIGHT a clever, bright person → 1900s US students’ sl.
► LONG EAR a clever person → M19 sl.
► LONG-CROWN a clever fellow → 1847 Brit. colloq.
► MAC ► MACK ► MAQUE a clever, influential person; a smooth operator → 1960s African-American sl.
► MACK DADDY a clever, proficient or influential man; an expert; the best  → 1993 Amer. sl.
► MAN OF WAX a clever, smart fellow; a very handsome man → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MESS a clever, witty, or mischievous person; an objectionable or foolish person; an unruly or incorrigible person → 1936 Amer. dial.
► NAILER a clever student → 1902 sl. (Bk.)
► NAP-HAND a clever workman; an expert at any business or at a game of skill → 1887 Eng. dial.
► NATURAL a naturally clever person → 1838 Sc.
► PALAMEDES a clever, ingenuous person → 1822 (Bk.)
► PISS-CUTTER a clever person; an expert; a remarkable or capable person → 1975 Amer. dial.
► SHARPIE a clever or knowledgeable person → 1949 sl., orig. US
► SKRIEVER a clever fellow; one who gets through is work expeditiously → 1904 Sc. (Bk.)
► SMART ALEC ► SMART ALECK ► SMART ALICK ► SMART ELICK a person who is, or wishes to seem clever and knowing, but is regarded as annoyingly smug or obnoxious; a know-all → 1981 colloq., orig. US
► SMART APPLE a person who is or wishes to appear clever or knowledgeable, but is regarded as smug and annoying; a smart alec → 1940 US colloq.
► SMART-ARSE ► SMART-ASS a person who is smugly clever → 1965 US sl.
► SMARTY-BOOTS an overly or obnoxiously clever person; a know-all → 1950 UK colloq.
► SMARTY-PANTS an overly or obnoxiously clever person; a know-all → 1935 colloq., orig. US
► SOONER a quick, clever, or enterprising person → 1883 Amer. dial.
► TACK a clever or smart man → 1972 Amer. dial.
► TRICKY ICKY a person who thinks he is clever → 1942 US sl. (Bk.)
► WARM-BOY a clever fellow → 1914 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► WISE APPLE a person who is too clever for their own good → 1896 US sl.
► YANKER a clever girl → 1824 Sc. obs.
► YANKIE a clever, sharp, forward woman → 1790 Sc.

PHRASES
► BRIGHT AS A NEW DOLLAR clever → 1916 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► DIG WITH BOTH FEET said of a very clever person → 1900 N. Ireland (Bk.)
► HAVE HAIR ON ONE’S HEAD to be clever, cautious, or wise → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► IT WILL BEAT THE JEWS refers to an act of cleverness → 1990 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► IT’S ALL DONE WITH MIRRORS said when something very clever or extremely ingenious has been done → 1920
► SHARP ENOUGH TO DRIVE applied to one who thinks himself clever → 1916 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► UP HERE FOR THINKING, DOWN THERE FOR DANCING (pointing to the head and feet respectively) a statement of self-congratulation on a good idea or clever piece of thinking → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)

VERBS
► BOX CLEVER to behave cleverly; to use one’s wits → 1936 sl.
► CRACK WISE to speak wisely or cleverly → 1774 obs.
► CUT A FAT PIG IN THE HIP to do something clever or noteworthy → 1979 Amer. dial.
► CUT A RUSTY to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► DO A HOUDINI to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► HAVE HAIR ON ONE’S HEAD to be clever, cautious, or wise → 1825 Sc.
► PULL A BRIGHT ONE to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A FASTIE to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A GAG to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A NIFTY ► PULL A NIFTY ONE to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PULL A STUNT to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SLIP OVER A FAST ONE to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► SMART-ARSE ► SMART-ASS to speak or behave in an ostentatiously or smugly clever manner → 1970 sl.
► SPRING A FASTIE ► SPRING A FAST ONE to do something clever → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► USE ONE’S HEAD to be clever, smart, or enterprising → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► USE ONE’S LOAF to be clever, smart, or enterprising → 1930s sl.
► USE ONE’S NOODLE to be clever, smart, or enterprising → 1996 Aust. sl. (Bk.)