noun
C1
Advanced
cleverness
KLEH-vuh-nuhs
Cleverness (noun) means the quality of being intelligent, quick-witted, or resourceful. Example: “His cleverness got him out of trouble more than once.”
noun
1
The quality of being intelligent, quick-witted, or resourceful.
"His cleverness got him out of trouble more than once."
"The plan showed real cleverness in how it used limited resources."
How to use cleverness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe quality of being clever — mental sharpness, wit, or resourcefulness.
Common pairings
show cleverness
admire someone's cleverness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cleverness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- clevernesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ got him out of trouble more than once.
Etymology
From "clever" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ness."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cleverness
See all rhymes for cleverness →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleverness” mean?
The word “cleverness” means the quality of being intelligent, quick-witted, or resourceful. In plain terms, the quality of being clever — mental sharpness, wit, or resourcefulness.
How do you pronounce “cleverness”?
“Cleverness” is pronounced KLEH-vuh-nuhs (/ˈklɛvɚnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cleverness” in a sentence?
Here is “cleverness” used in a sentence: “His cleverness got him out of trouble more than once.”
What part of speech is “cleverness”?
“Cleverness” is a noun.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include cleverness:
