Smart vs. Clever: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 10, 2024
Smart often implies a broad intelligence and understanding, while clever typically refers to quick thinking, ingenuity, and resourcefulness.
Key Differences
Smartness is generally associated with a comprehensive understanding and knowledge across various fields. Cleverness, on the other hand, is often about quick and ingenious problem-solving in specific situations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Smart individuals are known for their well-informed and thought-out approaches. Clever individuals excel in finding quick, sometimes unconventional solutions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Being smart is often viewed as an innate, overall intellectual ability. Cleverness is sometimes seen as situational wit or shrewdness.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Smartness encompasses a broader scope of learning, knowledge, and understanding. Cleverness is more about adaptability and the ability to manipulate existing knowledge to one's advantage.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Smartness is often associated with long-term intellectual achievements and knowledge accumulation. Cleverness is frequently linked with short-term, tactical, and sometimes cunning approaches.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
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Comparison Chart
XIntellectual Quality
Broad intelligence and understanding
Quick thinking and resourcefulness
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Learning Style
Broad and deep knowledge acquisition
Adaptable, manipulative of known information
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
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Smart and Clever Definitions
Smart
Well-dressed, neat, and stylish in appearance.
He looked smart in his new suit at the job interview.
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Dec 17, 2023
Clever
Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas.
He was clever at finding solutions to difficult problems.
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Dec 17, 2023
Smart
(of devices) Programmed to be capable of some independent action.
Their home is equipped with smart technology for automation.
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Dec 17, 2023
Clever
Cunning, especially in a deceptive or underhanded way.
Their clever scheme to avoid paying taxes was eventually discovered.
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Dec 17, 2023
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Clever
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Capable of making adjustments that resemble those resulting from human decisions, chiefly by means of electronic sensors and computer technology
Smart missiles.
Smart machines.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain
The slap delivered to my face smarted.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse
"No creature smarts so little as a fool" (Alexander Pope).
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful.
A simple but clever trick to solve the problem.
Clever like a fox
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Skilled at achieving what one wants, especially via unusual methods.
With a clever lawyer, she could easily be acquitted.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Smarts(Slang) Intelligence; expertise
A reporter with a lot of smarts.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
(intransitive) To hurt or sting.
After being hit with a pitch, the batter exclaimed "Ouch, my arm smarts!"
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
(of objects or actions) Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
(intransitive) To feel a pungent pain of mind; to feel sharp pain or grief; be punished severely; to feel the sting of evil.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
(informal) Exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Equipped with intelligent behaviour (digital/computer technology).
Smart car
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Good-looking; well dressed; fine; fashionable.
A smart outfit
You look smart in that business suit.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Possessing quickness of intellect, skill, dexterity, talent, or adroitness; expert.
Though there were many clever men in England during the latter half of the seventeenth century, there were only two great creative minds.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Cleverly shrewd and humorous in a way that may be rude and disrespectful.
He became tired of his daughter's sarcasm and smart remarks.
Don't get smart with me!
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness.
"T would sound more cleverTo me and to my heirs forever.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Intense in feeling; painful. Used usually with the adverb intensifier right.
He raised his voice, and it hurt her feelings right smart.
That cast on his leg chaffs him right smart.
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Skillful (or showing skill) in adapting means to ends;
Cool prudence and sensitive selfishness along with quick perception of what is possible--these distinguish an adroit politician
Came up with a clever story
An ingenious press agent
An ingenious scheme
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others;
A cagey lawyer
Too clever to be sound
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful;
An apt pupil
You are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
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Dec 13, 2023
Clever
Skilled at doing or achieving something; talented.
She is clever with her hands and makes beautiful sculptures.
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Dec 17, 2023
Clever
Showing intelligence or skill; ingenious.
He devised a clever marketing strategy for the new product.
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Dec 17, 2023
Smart
A dandy; one who is smart in dress; one who is brisk, vivacious, or clever.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
To feel a lively, pungent local pain; - said of some part of the body as the seat of irritation; as, my finger smarts; these wounds smart.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
To feel a pungent pain of mind; to feel sharp pain or grief; to suffer; to feel the sting of evil; as, the team is still smarting from its loss of the championship.
No creature smarts so little as a fool.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Quick, pungent, lively pain; a pricking local pain, as the pain from puncture by nettles.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Severe, pungent pain of mind; pungent grief; as, the smart of affliction.
To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart.
Counsel mitigates the greatest smart.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Causing a smart; pungent; pricking; as, a smart stroke or taste.
How smart lash that speech doth give my conscience.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Accomplishing, or able to accomplish, results quickly; active; sharp; clever.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Marked by acuteness or shrewdness; quick in suggestion or reply; vivacious; witty; as, a smart reply; a smart saying.
Who, for the poor renown of being smartWould leave a sting within a brother's heart?
A sentence or two, . . . which I thought very smart.
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Elegant and stylish;
Chic elegance
A smart new dress
A suit of voguish cut
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Characterized by quickness and ease in learning;
Some children are brighter in one subject than another
Smart children talk earlier than the average
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Improperly forward or bold;
Don't be fresh with me
Impertinent of a child to lecture a grownup
An impudent boy given to insulting strangers
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Marked by smartness in dress and manners;
A dapper young man
A jaunty red hat
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Dec 13, 2023
Smart
Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence.
She was smart enough to solve complex mathematical problems.
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Dec 17, 2023
Smart
Causing a sharp stinging pain.
The smart of the antiseptic on the wound was intense.
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Dec 17, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a person be both smart and clever?
Yes, a person can be both smart and clever, combining depth of knowledge with ingenuity.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
What does being smart imply?
Being smart implies having a broad and deep understanding and knowledge.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Can cleverness be learned?
Cleverness can be developed through experience, practice, and learning from various situations.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Is cleverness useful in problem-solving?
Yes, cleverness is particularly useful in quick and creative problem-solving.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
What is the essence of cleverness?
Cleverness is about quick thinking and finding ingenious solutions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Is smartness innate?
Smartness can be both innate and developed through learning and experience.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Can cleverness be misused?
Cleverness can be misused if it's applied unethically or for manipulative purposes.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Is cleverness always positive?
Cleverness is generally positive, but it can have negative connotations if associated with cunning or deceit.
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Jan 10, 2024
Can reading books make you smarter?
Reading books can contribute to becoming smarter by expanding knowledge and understanding.
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Jan 10, 2024
How is intelligence related to smartness?
Intelligence is a key component of smartness, involving reasoning, learning, and understanding.
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Jan 10, 2024
Do smart people always have high IQs?
High IQs are common among smart people, but smartness also involves emotional and social intelligence.
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Jan 10, 2024
Is cleverness linked to creativity?
Cleverness is often linked to creativity, especially in developing original and effective solutions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Can smartness be hindered by lack of education?
Lack of education can limit the development of smartness, but it doesn't preclude innate intellectual abilities.
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Jan 10, 2024
Is being smart the same as being knowledgeable?
Being smart includes being knowledgeable, but it also involves the application and understanding of that knowledge.
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Jan 10, 2024
Are smart people always successful in academics?
Smart people often do well in academics, but success also depends on factors like motivation and work ethic.
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Jan 10, 2024
Do smart people excel in all areas?
Smart people may excel in many areas, but they can also have specific strengths and weaknesses.
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Jan 10, 2024
Is cleverness valued in the workplace?
Cleverness is highly valued in the workplace, especially in roles requiring problem-solving and innovation.
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Jan 10, 2024
Do clever people think faster?
Clever people often think quickly, especially when devising solutions to problems.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Can cleverness be a form of wit?
Cleverness can manifest as wit, particularly in humorous or inventive communication.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
Are all smart people good at math?
Not all smart people are good at math; smartness can manifest in various fields.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 10, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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