English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Clever Pronunciation
Clever is pronounced KLE-ver, IPA /ˈklɛvɝ/.
KLE-ver
US /ˈklɛvɝ/ · UK /ˈklɛvə/
Syllables: KLE · ver (2 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Quick to learn or to think of good ideas.
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Clever in a Sentence
- That was a clever way to get round the problem.
- She is clever with her hands and fixes most things herself.
- He is too clever to fall for an offer like that.
Common Mispronunciations of Clever
Not KLEE-ver
Letting that vowel run on produces cleaver, the butcher's knife, so cut it off early.
Not kluh-VER
The opening beat carries the force and the ending settles into a weak ver.
Tip: Clever and cleaver differ only in how long that first vowel is held.
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