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

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 notes

In plain EnglishThe quality of being clever — mental sharpness, wit, or resourcefulness.

Common pairings

show cleverness admire someone's cleverness

Word forms

clevernesses plural

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His _____ got him out of trouble more than once.

Etymology

From "clever" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ness."

Synonyms

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brightness ingenuity smartness inventiveness ingeniousness

Related words

night light intelligence engineer imagination sunshine invention creativity

Rhymes for cleverness

Inverness eagerness governess wilderness tenderness bitterness togetherness

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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.

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