Smart vs. Clever — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
Smart often refers to general intelligence or quick-wittedness; Clever usually implies the ability to solve problems in a creative or non-standard way.
Difference Between Smart and Clever
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Smart and Clever are both adjectives that describe a certain type of intelligence or aptitude. While "Smart" typically denotes a broad range of intellectual capabilities, "Clever" often suggests a specific skill in finding quick and creative solutions.
When someone is described as "Smart", it might refer to their ability to grasp concepts quickly, their extensive knowledge, or their capacity to think logically. However, calling someone "Clever" often points to their knack for thinking outside the box or finding unconventional ways to address issues.
It's not uncommon to use Smart and Clever interchangeably, especially in casual conversation. Still, nuances exist: a Smart person might excel in academic settings, while a Clever person shines in situations requiring ingenious problem-solving.
To give a practical example: a Smart student might quickly understand and remember mathematical formulas, whereas a Clever student might find a unique approach to solve a mathematical problem that wasn't taught in class.
In everyday scenarios, if someone devises an unexpected yet effective solution, they might be praised for being "Clever". Conversely, a person who consistently showcases a high level of understanding on various topics might be labeled as "Smart".
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Showing quick-witted intelligence.
Showing skill or ingenuity in handling situations.
Type of Intelligence
Broad and general.
Specific and creative.
Common Usage
Often linked to academic prowess or extensive knowledge.
Frequently associated with innovative problem-solving.
Interchangeability
Can sometimes be used in place of Clever, especially casually.
Can sometimes replace Smart, especially when highlighting ingenuity.
Context
Generally positive, but can be neutral.
Mostly positive, but can imply cunning in some situations.
Compare with Definitions
Smart
To feel a sharp, stinging pain.
The slap made his face smart.
Clever
Showing skill or ingenuity.
That was a clever trick you did with the card.
Smart
Quick or brisk.
He walked at a smart pace.
Clever
Crafty or cunning.
He was too clever by half, always scheming.
Smart
(of a person) clean, tidy, and well dressed
You look very smart
Clever
Quick to understand or learn.
She's clever at mathematics.
Smart
Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
If he was that smart he would never have been tricked
Clever
Made with skill or artfulness.
The advertisement was a clever piece of work.
Smart
Quick; brisk
He set off at a smart pace
Clever
Being smart in a cheeky or funny way.
Her clever remarks always made us laugh.
Smart
(of part of the body) feel a sharp stinging pain
Her legs were scratched and smarting
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
Smart
Sharp stinging pain
The smart of the recent cuts
Clever
Healthy or well
I was up and about by this time though still not too clever
Smart
Intelligence; acumen
I don't think I have the smarts for it
Clever
Mentally quick and original; bright
A clever student.
Smart
Having or showing intelligence; bright.
Clever
Skilled at accomplishing things, especially with the hands
A clever carpenter.
Smart
Canny and shrewd in dealings with others
A smart negotiator.
Clever
Crafty; cunning
"a hard-working kid who rose from poverty, only to be duped by rich, clever bankers" (Jeff Goodell).
Smart
Amusingly clever; witty
A smart quip.
A lively, smart conversation.
Clever
Exhibiting ingenuity or imagination; creative or artful
A clever experiment.
Smart
Impertinent; insolent
That's enough of your smart talk.
Clever
Witty; amusing
An evening of clever repartee.
Smart
Energetic or quick in movement
A smart pace.
Clever
Characterized by cunning or shrewdness
Clever manipulation of public opinion.
Smart
Fashionable; elegant
A smart suit.
A smart restaurant.
The smart set.
Clever
New England Easily managed; docile
"Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" (Dialect Notes).
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.
Clever
Chiefly Southern US Good-natured; amiable.
Smart
To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain
The slap delivered to my face smarted.
Clever
Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept.
Smart
To be the location of such a pain
The incision on my leg smarts.
Clever
Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.
Smart
To feel such a pain.
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful.
A simple but clever trick to solve the problem.
Clever like a fox
Smart
To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse
"No creature smarts so little as a fool" (Alexander Pope).
Clever
Skilled at achieving what one wants, especially via unusual methods.
With a clever lawyer, she could easily be acquitted.
Smart
Sharp pain or anguish
The smart of the wound.
Clever
Smart, intelligent, or witty; mentally quick or sharp.
Smart
Smarts(Slang) Intelligence; expertise
A reporter with a lot of smarts.
Clever
(of objects or actions) Showing inventiveness or originality; witty.
Smart
(intransitive) To hurt or sting.
After being hit with a pitch, the batter exclaimed "Ouch, my arm smarts!"
Clever
Possessing magical abilities.
Smart
(transitive) To cause a smart or sting in.
Clever
(obsolete) Fit; suitable; having propriety.
Smart
(intransitive) To feel a pungent pain of mind; to feel sharp pain or grief; be punished severely; to feel the sting of evil.
Clever
(obsolete) Well-shaped; handsome.
Smart
Exhibiting social ability or cleverness.
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
Smart
(informal) Exhibiting intellectual knowledge, such as that found in books.
Clever
Fit and healthy; free from fatigue or illness.
Smart
Equipped with intelligent behaviour (digital/computer technology).
Smart car
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.
Smart
Good-looking; well dressed; fine; fashionable.
A smart outfit
You look smart in that business suit.
Clever
Showing skill or adroitness in the doer or former; as, a clever speech; a clever trick.
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!
Clever
Having fitness, propriety, or suitableness.
"T would sound more cleverTo me and to my heirs forever.
Smart
Sudden and intense.
Clever
Well-shaped; handsome.
Smart
Causing sharp pain; stinging.
Clever
Good-natured; obliging.
Smart
Sharp; keen; poignant.
A smart pain
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
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.
Clever
Showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others;
A cagey lawyer
Too clever to be sound
Smart
(archaic) Efficient; vigorous; brilliant.
Clever
Mentally quick and resourceful;
An apt pupil
You are a clever man...you reason well and your wit is bold
Smart
(archaic) Pretentious; showy; spruce.
A smart gown
Clever
Showing inventiveness and skill;
A clever gadget
The cunning maneuvers leading to his success
An ingenious solution to the problem
Smart
(archaic) Brisk; fresh.
A smart breeze
Smart
A sharp, quick, lively pain; a sting.
Smart
Mental pain or suffering; grief; affliction.
Smart
Smart-money.
Smart
A dandy; one who is smart in dress; one who is brisk, vivacious, or clever.
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.
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.
Smart
To cause a smart in.
Smart
Quick, pungent, lively pain; a pricking local pain, as the pain from puncture by nettles.
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.
Smart
A fellow who affects smartness, briskness, and vivacity; a dandy.
Smart
Smart money (see below).
Smart
Causing a smart; pungent; pricking; as, a smart stroke or taste.
How smart lash that speech doth give my conscience.
Smart
Keen; severe; poignant; as, smart pain.
Smart
Vigorous; sharp; severe.
Smart
Accomplishing, or able to accomplish, results quickly; active; sharp; clever.
Smart
Efficient; vigorous; brilliant.
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.
Smart
Pretentious; showy; spruce; as, a smart gown.
Smart
Brisk; fresh; as, a smart breeze.
Smart
A kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
Smart
Be the source of pain
Smart
Showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
Smart
Elegant and stylish;
Chic elegance
A smart new dress
A suit of voguish cut
Smart
Characterized by quickness and ease in learning;
Some children are brighter in one subject than another
Smart children talk earlier than the average
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
Smart
Marked by smartness in dress and manners;
A dapper young man
A jaunty red hat
Smart
Showing quick-witted intelligence.
She's smart enough to solve that puzzle.
Smart
Elegantly stylish in appearance.
He wore a smart suit to the interview.
Smart
Painful or severe.
The loss left a smart in his heart.
Common Curiosities
Can objects be described as Clever?
Yes, if they showcase an ingenious design or function.
Does Clever only mean positive ingenuity?
Mostly, but it can imply cunning or deceit in some contexts.
Can a solution be both Smart and Clever?
Yes, a solution can be both logically sound (Smart) and creatively devised (Clever).
Can animals be described as Clever?
Yes, especially when they show an ability to solve problems.
Can Clever mean quick to learn?
Yes, someone who learns rapidly can be described as Clever.
Is it better to be called Smart or Clever?
Both are positive, but context matters. Smart often means knowledgeable; Clever can imply resourcefulness.
Do Smart and Clever have the same root in language?
No, they originate from different linguistic roots.
Is "too clever by half" a compliment?
It's often used sarcastically, implying someone is overly cunning or crafty.
Can Smart and Clever be used interchangeably?
While often used interchangeably, Smart usually refers to broad intelligence, and Clever to ingenious problem-solving.
Can Smart refer to appearance?
Yes, "Smart" can describe someone or something looking elegant or stylish.
Are there synonyms that combine the essence of both Smart and Clever?
"Astute" or "shrewd" might capture aspects of both words.
Does Smart always imply high intelligence?
In most contexts, yes, but it can also describe appearance or feeling.
Which is more informal, Smart or Clever?
Both are standard English, but context can make one more casual than the other.
Is "book smart" the same as being Clever?
Not necessarily. "Book smart" refers to academic knowledge, while Clever emphasizes problem-solving.
Can Clever have a negative connotation?
Sometimes, especially when implying deceit or over-complication.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
