Clever to start late, correct? (5)
I believe the answer is:
right
'correct?' is the definition.
(right can mean correct)
'clever to start late' is the wordplay.
'clever' becomes 'bright' (bright can mean clever or gifted).
'to start late' means to remove the first letter (I've seen 'starting late' mean this (the word begins later than normal)).
'bright' with its initial letter taken away is 'RIGHT'.
(Other definitions for right that I've seen before include "Spot-on" , "True - just claim" , "A person is entitled to it" , "straight" , "Morally good, justifiable or acceptable" .)