Veer around after Catholic pupil: smart (6)
I believe the answer is:
clever
'smart' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'veer around after catholic pupil' is the wordplay.
'around' is an anagram indicator.
'after' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'catholic' becomes 'C' (abbreviation as in RC for Roman Catholic).
'pupil' becomes 'L' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car).
'veer' is an anagram of 'ever'.
'c'+'l'='cl'
'ever' put after 'cl' is 'CLEVER'.
(Other definitions for clever that I've seen before include "Smart or quick at learning" , "Knowledgeable" , "Quick, skilful" , "Highly intelligent" , "Quick at learning, bright" .)