Synonyms for cleverness
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Ingenuity
ingenuity, smartness, dexterity, inventiveness, ability, subtlety, genius, intelligence, skill, mastery, gumption, aptitude, talent, efficiency, quickness, capability, sharpness, art, capacity, readiness, craft, brightness
Definitions
- n. 1
The property of being clever.
Forms
- Plural
- clevernesses → ingenuities, smartnesses, dexterities, inventivenesses…
Choose the right word
Cleverness is a practical aptitude for study or learning.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- ingenuity Gabriel survived using his ingenuity and determination.
- dexterity Playing the piano requires manual dexterity.
- smartness Capricorns put everyone else's smartness to shame.
- intellect Your people know that I have a superior intellect.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| cleverness | rising | |
| ingenuity | falling | |
| dexterity | steady | |
| inventiveness | steady | |
| smartness | rising | |
| intellect | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- art1, wit1
- 5 letters
- skill1, craft1
- 6 letters
- talent2, genius2
- 7 letters
- ability4, mastery3
- 8 letters
- capacity4, aptitude3, subtlety3, gumption2
- 9 letters
- readiness3, intellect3, ingenuity5, dexterity4, sharpness2, quickness2, smartness2
- 10 letters
- efficiency4, capability5, brightness2
- 12 letters
- intelligence4
- 13 letters
- inventiveness4
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (talent2 = 2 syllables).