Clumsy (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Lacking grace in movement or posture; "a gawky lad with long ungainly legs"; "clumsy fingers"; "what an ungainly creature a giraffe is"; "heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
Not elegant or graceful in expression; "an awkward prose style"; "a clumsy apology"; "his cumbersome writing style"; "if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The politician's clumsy apology for the scandal only made things worse.
- Her writing style was often criticized for being clumsy and hard to follow.
- The actor's performance was marred by a clumsy delivery of his lines.
- The clumsy phraseology in the contract made it difficult to understand.
- The clumsy explanation he gave for his absence only raised more suspicions.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape; "an awkward bundle to carry"; "a load of bunglesome paraphernalia"; "clumsy wooden shoes"; "the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Meaning 4
Showing lack of skill or aptitude; "a bungling workman"; "did a clumsy job"; "his fumbling attempt to put up a shelf".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The clumsy waiter spilled coffee all over the tablecloth.
- He did a clumsy job of fixing the leaky faucet, and it started dripping again the next day.
- Her clumsy fingers struggled to tie the delicate lace.
- The clumsy actor's performance was marred by his tendency to trip over his own feet.
- With a clumsy attempt, he fumbled with the lock, but eventually managed to pick it after several minutes of struggle.