Astute vs. Clever — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Astute and Clever
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Compare with Definitions
Astute
Having or showing shrewdness and discernment, especially with respect to one's own concerns.
Clever
Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent
How clever of him to think of this!
She was an extremely clever and studious young woman
Astute
Quickly and critically discerning.
Clever
Healthy or well
I was up and about by this time though still not too clever
Astute
Shrewd or crafty.
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Clever
Mentally quick and original; bright
A clever student.
Astute
Critically discerning; sagacious; shrewd; subtle; crafty.
Clever
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Astute
Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence;
A smart businessman
An astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease
He was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow
Clever
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Clever
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Clever
Witty; amusing
An evening of clever repartee.
Clever
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Clever
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
Clever
Chiefly Southern US Good-natured; amiable.
Clever
Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept.
Clever
Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful.
A simple but clever trick to solve the problem.
Clever like a fox
Clever
Skilled at achieving what one wants, especially via unusual methods.
With a clever lawyer, she could easily be acquitted.
Clever
Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.
Clever
(of objects or actions) Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
Clever
Possessing magical abilities.
Clever
(obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.
Clever
(obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
Clever
Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.
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.
Clever
Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick.
Clever
Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness.
"T would sound more cleverTo me and to my heirs forever.
Clever
Well-shaped; handsome.
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
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
Clever
Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others;
A cagey lawyer
Too clever to be sound
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful;
An apt pupil
You are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold
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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