cleverest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cleverest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means "having or showing great intelligence or skill." For example: "Team 7 won the competition thanks to their cleverest member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Secretary of State for Education, 1976-79; co-founder of SDP, 1981 Margaret Thatcher was neither the cleverest nor the most eloquent politician of her generation.

The Guardian

His copy left the readers feeling as if they had been talking to their cleverest but nicest friend.

The Guardian

[He is] one of the cleverest people I've ever met," said Desmond, speaking in an interview with Sky News's Jeff Randall at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge convention on Thursday.

The Guardian

One of the cleverest things that the anti-environment lobby ever did was to convince us all to accept that the battle was about sacrifice.

The Guardian

Getting a 67-year-old to DJ the weekend-starts-here slot doesn't sound like 6 Music's cleverest move.

The Guardian - Music

The ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart said Fortune, Bird and Bremner had created "some of the cleverest funniest stuff ever".

The Guardian

'Kevin has been pigeonholed as a Machiavelli, the cleverest man on screen,' says Mendes.

The Guardian - Film

Through fashion, I have met the cleverest, most thoughtful, focused and strategic pool of talent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Andersen tended to recruit the cleverest people, pay them slightly more and work them a lot harder.

The Economist

His aim is to make the system broader, more flexible, and more rigorous, stretching the cleverest, while encouraging the least able, giving academic and vocational qualifications equal weight, and ensuring that more people have the skills employers need.The central proposal is a new diploma, with four levels of difficulty, to be introduced over the next ten years.

The Economist

When he discovers that Sokdae is forcing the cleverest in the class to substitute their exam papers for his, the teacher beats the boy in public.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleverest", ensure the context clearly defines the basis of comparison. For instance, "the cleverest solution" implies a comparison against other solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "cleverest" when the evaluation is purely subjective or based on personal preference. Cleverness implies an objective measure of ingenuity or skill.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cleverest" is as a superlative adjective. It modifies a noun, indicating that it possesses the highest degree of cleverness compared to others. As Ludwig showcases, it's often used to describe people, solutions, or strategies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleverest" functions as a superlative adjective, used to highlight the highest degree of intelligence or ingenuity. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and common across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, formal business, and science. When employing "cleverest", ensure the context warrants a comparison and objective evaluation of ingenuity. While synonyms like "smartest", "most ingenious", and "most astute" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid its misuse in purely subjective scenarios. Overall, "cleverest" is a versatile and effective term when used precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smartest

A more common and straightforward synonym, suitable for informal contexts.

most brilliant

Focuses on exceptional intellectual ability and radiance of thought.

sharpest

Focuses on quickness and acuity of intellect.

most ingenious

Emphasizes inventiveness and resourcefulness more strongly than general intelligence.

most inventive

Similar to "most ingenious" but places more emphasis on the creation of something new.

most resourceful

Stresses the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

most insightful

Highlights the depth of understanding and ability to see beyond the surface.

most astute

Highlights sharpness of mind and the ability to understand situations quickly.

most gifted

Suggests a natural talent or innate intelligence.

most canny

Implies shrewdness and a practical intelligence, often with a hint of cunning.

FAQs

How is "cleverest" used in a sentence?

The word "cleverest" is used to describe someone or something as having the highest degree of intelligence or skill. For example, "She devised the "cleverest solution" to the problem".

What's the difference between "cleverest" and "smartest"?

"Cleverest" often implies ingenuity and quick-wittedness, while "smartest" is a more general term for intelligence. Depending on the context alternatives like "most astute" or "most brilliant" are appropriate.

What are some synonyms for "cleverest"?

Synonyms for "cleverest" include "most ingenious", "most astute", "most brilliant", and "smartest". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "cleverest" to describe someone's actions?

While grammatically correct, using "cleverest" might not always be appropriate. It's best suited when actions demonstrate notable ingenuity or problem-solving skills rather than general intelligence. For other situations consider terms like "most effective" or "best".