cleverly

From clever +‎ -ly.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈklɛvəli/

Homophone: Cleverley

cleverly (comparative more cleverly, superlative most cleverly)

1. Wittily; in a tricky manner.

   He joked cleverly with each guest.

2. Intelligently directed to a purpose.

   Cleverly, he found ways of ingratiating himself with all the important guests.

   • 2012 May 13, Andrew Benson, “Williams's Pastor Maldonado takes landmark Spanish Grand Prix win”, in BBC Sport‎:

     The double world champion quickly closed on to the rear of the Williams, but Maldonado drove cleverly to ensure he was always far enough ahead at the start of the pit straight to ensure Alonso could not pass him.

3. (now US dialectal) Completely, fully.
   • 1891, Mary Noailles Murfree, In the "Stranger People's" Country, Nebraska 2005, p. 6:

     “I ain't a-goin' ter let leetle Mose be kep' up hyar till midnight a-waitin' for you-uns ter milk the cow. It's cleverly dark now.”