Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈklʌmzi/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
- US
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ˈklʌmzi
Adjective
Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.
- Examples
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He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.
Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.
- Examples
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It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.
What a clumsy joke
More examples (1)
The ravviſh danke of clumzie vvinter ramps / The fluent ſummers vaine: and drizling ſleete / Chilleth the vvan bleak cheek of the numd earth, / VVhilſt ſnarling guſts nibble the iuyceles leaues, / From the nak't ſhuddring branch; […]
Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.
Noun
A clumsy person.
Usage- Informal
- Synonyms
- Related words
- Examples
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More examples (1)
On the stairs he met Ellen, the housemaid, and as he passed her he knocked the hot-water jug out of her hand. “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water.
Adjective
lacking grace in movement or posture
- Examples
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a gawky lad with long ungainly legs
clumsy fingers
More examples (2)
what an ungainly creature a giraffe is
heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair
not elegant or graceful in expression
- Examples
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an awkward prose style
a clumsy apology
More examples (2)
his cumbersome writing style
if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?
difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
- Synonyms
- Examples
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an awkward bundle to carry
a load of bunglesome paraphernalia
More examples (2)
clumsy wooden shoes
the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl
showing lack of skill or aptitude
- Synonyms
- Examples
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a bungling workman
did a clumsy job
More examples (1)
his fumbling attempt to put up a shelf