How would you define the word clever?

To me, “clever” implies being able to create an unconventional solution or approach to a problem.

It differs from an insightful or elegant solution in that it is applicable to the task or problem at hand, but not necessarily applicable in general or in other similar circumstances.

Clever is being able to solve problems efficiently using either unconventional yet efficient methods or finding solutions that are obvious but hard for the average person to arrive at.

Knowledgeable, innovative,and resourceful.

In the US we usually apply this word to a specific type of creative intelligence. In the UK, I think they typically use it more as a synonym for intelligent or smart.

So basically, it has more to do with creativity rather than mere intelligence. Right?

Welcome to Fluther.

It would help to have additional context, but in general the word clever can refer to a certain rapid ingenuity, or being able to use a thing in a novel or unexpected way (which can apply to words, too; sometimes a pun can demonstrate a clever use – or misuse – of a word).

I would say that it is generally, but not always, meant in a complimentary way. For example, when facing a life-or-death hanging-on-by-our-fingernails kind of situation and a person remarks about something inapplicable to the situation, and not helpful in a way to get us off the cliff and safe and warm at base camp, then “a clever idea” – that still results in us falling to a gory death – is NOT complimentary.

He / she should have very good presence of mind!!

Articulate at problem solving.

To me the word requires some sort of action to betray its presence. There’s also an element of the unique solution. So let’s add applied insight to @Mariah ‘s creative intelligence.

It’s another one of those fun words that’s difficult to nail down, but you know it when you see it. Which word pops into your head to follow clever? For me it was “criminal”. The wife says “animal”. I just thought of an interesting question for social.

Hence the ambiguity tag. I like my talk frank. No sugar, no cream.