Cool MateClever vs Intelligent
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clever
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Intelligent
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Clever | Intelligent | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈklevə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈklevər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtelɪdʒənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Smart and good at finding solutions. | Smart or able to think well. |
| Example | She is very clever and always solves the puzzles quickly. | The intelligent student quickly solved the math problem. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good, be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good, be, extremely, fairly, very, be, seem, sound, extremely, fairly, very, at, with, too clever by half, too clever for your own good | be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | dull, stupid, foolish | unintelligent, stupid, dull |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'smart' - 'clever' often implies resourcefulness., Used incorrectly as a noun - remember it’s an adjective., Overused in formal contexts where 'intelligent' might be more suitable. | Confused with 'intellect' which refers more to reasoning ability., Mistakenly using as a noun instead of an adjective (e.g., 'an intelligent' instead of 'an intelligent person'). |
| Usage notes | Used to describe someone who is intelligent or quick-witted. Can be used positively or negatively depending on context. For example, it's good to be clever in problem-solving, but can imply cunning if used in a different context. | Use 'intelligent' to describe someone who has a high ability to learn or understand. It’s generally positive and can apply in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it sarcastically. |
Frequently asked questions: Clever vs Intelligent
What's the difference between Clever and Intelligent?
Clever: Smart and good at finding solutions. Intelligent: Smart or able to think well.
Are Clever and Intelligent the same CEFR level?
Clever: A2, Intelligent: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Clever and Intelligent interchangeably?
Not always. Clever and Intelligent are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.