clev·er /ˈklevə $ -ər/ ●●● S2 adjectiveadj 1 especially British EnglishBrEINTELLIGENT able to learn and understand things quickly 聪明的,聪颖的 SYN intelligent, American English smartvery/extremely/quite/pretty etc clever Lucy is quite clever and does well at school. 露西很聪明,学习成绩很好。
► see thesaurus at intelligent 2 INTELLIGENTable to use your intelligence to get what you want, especially in a slightly dishonest way 耍小聪明的,滑头的 a clever lawyer’s tricks 滑头律师的诡计
3 especially British EnglishBrEGOOD AT skilful at doing a particular thing 灵巧的,伶俐的;熟练的 Bill’s very clever with his hands. 比尔双手很灵巧。
his clever ball control 他精妙的控球
clever at doing something He was clever at finding bargains. 他很会淘便宜货。
4 EFFECTIVEdone or made in an unusual or interesting way that is very effective 机敏的;巧妙的 What a clever little gadget! 多么巧妙的小玩意!
a clever marketing strategy 巧妙的营销策略
5 STUPID/NOT SENSIBLE British EnglishBrE spoken used jokingly when someone has done something silly or stupid 真聪明!〔某人干了蠢事时说的玩笑话〕 ‘When I got to the library I found I’d left the books at home.’ ‘That was clever!’ “到了图书馆我才发现把书忘在家里了。”“你真行啊!”
6. clever clogs/dick INTELLIGENT British EnglishBrE spoken used to describe someone who is annoying because they are always right or always think they are right 自以为聪明的人clever clogs/dick• I don't claim to be an expert and I certainly don't consider myself a clever clogs.• Next time just stay at home and switch on the telly, clever clogs. 7. be too clever by half INTELLIGENT British EnglishBrE spoken to be clever, and to show that you are clever in a way that annoys other people 精明过头be too clever by half• Phil's good at thinking up excuses for his behaviour - he's too clever by half. —cleverly adverbadv
—cleverness noun [uncountableU]