Synonyms intelligent
These words all describe people who are good at learning, understanding and thinking about things, and the actions that show this ability.
intelligent good at learning, understanding and thinking in a logical way about things; showing this ability: He’s a highly intelligent man.She asked a lot of intelligent questions.
smart (especially North American English) quick at learning and understanding things; showing the ability to make good business or personal decisions: She’s smarter than her brother.That was a smart career move.
clever (sometimes disapproving, especially British English) quick at learning and understanding things; showing this ability: People use clever in the phrase : Clever boy/girl! to tell a young child that they have learnt or done something well. When used to or about an adult clever can be disapproving. brilliant extremely intelligent or showing a lot of skill: He’s a brilliant young scientist.
bright intelligent; quick to learn: She’s probably the brightest student in the class.
Bright is used especially to talk about young people. Common collocations of bright include girl, boy, kid, student, pupil. Patterns
clever/brilliant at something
a(n) intelligent/smart/clever/brilliant/bright child/boy/girl/man/woman
a(n) intelligent/smart/clever/brilliant thing to do