Clever
Clever adjective - Skillful with the hands.
Usage example: the Shakers were clever artisans who created many ingenious and highly useful devices
Proficient is a synonym for clever in ability topic. In some cases you can use "Proficient" instead an adjective "Clever", when it comes to topics like capable, able.
Nearby Words: cleverness, cleverly
Proficient
Proficient adjective - Having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor.
Usage example: a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece
Clever is a synonym for proficient in able topic. Sometimes you can use "Clever" instead an adjective "Proficient", if it concerns topics such as ability, skilled.
Nearby Words: proficiency, proficiently
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
- He is also an inescapably badass ninja, proficient with multiple melee weapons, who was winning his duel with The Hero until the nascent Daredevil got clever about it.
Cite this Source
Proficient and Clever. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/clever/proficient
Clever & Proficient. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/clever/proficient>.
Proficient or Clever. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/clever/proficient.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "clever" and "proficient" have occurred on timeline