clever dick crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the clue "clever dick crossword" and need a hand, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find all possible answers, neatly categorized by their letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "clever dick crossword" by Letter Count
6 Letters
PEDANT: A person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning, often in an annoying way.
7 Letters
WISEGUY: A self-important individual who often makes sarcastic or rude remarks, believing themselves superior.
KNOWALL: Someone who annoyingly professes to know everything, especially when they don't or when their knowledge is unsolicited.
9 Letters
SMARTALEC: An irritatingly conceited person who thinks they are very clever and demonstrates it annoyingly.
KNOWITALL: A common synonym for someone who believes they know everything and irritatingly displays it.
11 Letters
SMARTYPANTS: An informal term for someone who shows off their intelligence in an obnoxious manner.
More About "clever dick crossword"
The phrase "clever dick" is a colourful, albeit informal and somewhat derogatory, term used to describe someone who is annoyingly pretentious, ostentatious in their intelligence, or a know-it-all. In the realm of crosswords, such clues often test your vocabulary for synonyms related to self-importance, smugness, and intellectual arrogance rather than literal cleverness.
Crossword setters love to use such idiomatic expressions to challenge solvers, forcing them to look beyond the literal meaning and consider the implied character traits. When you encounter a clue like "clever dick," think about the person it describes – someone who might be intelligent but uses it in a way that irritates others. This often leads to answers that describe personality types rather than actions or objects.
Understanding the nuances of colloquialisms is key to cracking these types of clues. The solutions provided above, such as PEDANT, WISEGUY, KNOWALL, SMARTALEC, and SMARTYPANTS, all capture different facets of this "annoyingly intelligent" character, offering a range of options depending on the required letter count.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Nuance and Tone: Clues like "clever dick" are rich in tone. Think about whether the clue implies negative or positive connotations, as this often guides you to the correct type of synonym.
- Check Letter Count First: Always verify the number of letters in the grid space. This immediately eliminates many possibilities and narrows down your choices significantly.
- Look for Intersecting Letters: Use any letters you've already filled in from crossing words. These are your most powerful hints, helping you confirm or rule out potential answers for "clever dick."
- Think Beyond Literal Meanings: Crosswords often play with words. A clue that sounds like a person might be an adjective, or a simple word might have a very specific, less common meaning.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'clever dick' mean in a crossword context?
'Clever dick' is a colloquial and somewhat derogatory term for someone who is annoyingly self-important, displays their knowledge ostentatiously, or acts like a know-it-all. In crosswords, it usually clues for terms like 'know-all,' 'smart alec,' 'wiseguy,' or 'pedant'.
Are there common alternative phrases for 'clever dick' in crosswords?
Yes, common crossword synonyms for 'clever dick' often include 'know-it-all,' 'smart alec,' 'wiseguy,' 'pedant,' or 'smarty-pants.' The specific answer depends on the number of letters and other intersecting clues.
How do I approach clues that use colloquial or informal language like 'clever dick'?
When encountering informal or colloquial clues, think about the core meaning or characteristic being described. 'Clever dick' points to someone annoyingly intelligent or pretentious. Consider common synonyms for that characteristic. Also, pay close attention to the answer's length and any crossing letters to narrow down the possibilities.