Where does “clever” come from?

Clever comes from Middle English cliver, from Old English clifer, of uncertain origin and meaning.

clever (English): Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept;...

Definitions

  1. Nimble with hands or body; skillful; adept;...

Ancestry of “clever”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishclivertenacious
2Old Englishcliferclaw, hand

Words derived from “clever

Every word from Old English clifer
clever — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer