CLUMSY (clumsier, clumsiest)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: clumsier    , clumsiest   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clumsy mean? 

• CLUMSY (adjective)
  The adjective CLUMSY has 4 senses:

1. lacking grace in movement or posture

2. not elegant or graceful in expression

3. difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape

4. showing lack of skill or aptitude

  Familiarity information: CLUMSY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLUMSY (adjective)

Comparative: clumsier   
Superlative: clumsiest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lacking grace in movement or posture

Synonyms:

clumsy; clunky; gawky; ungainly; unwieldy

Context example:

heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair

Similar:

awkward (lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance)

Derivation:

clumsiness (the carriage of someone whose movements and posture are ungainly or inelegant)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not elegant or graceful in expression

Synonyms:

awkward; clumsy; cumbersome; ill-chosen; inapt; inept

Context example:

if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?

Similar:

infelicitous (not appropriate in application; defective)

Derivation:

clumsiness (the inelegance of someone stiff and unrelaxed (as by embarrassment))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape

Synonyms:

awkward; bunglesome; clumsy; ungainly

Context example:

the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl

Similar:

unmanageable; unwieldy (difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Showing lack of skill or aptitude

Synonyms:

bungling; clumsy; fumbling; incompetent

Context example:

his fumbling attempt to put up a shelf

Similar:

unskilled (not having or showing or requiring special skill or proficiency)

Derivation:

clumsiness (unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training)

 Context examples 

Knowing my methods as you do, you were, of course, conscious of the somewhat clumsy water-pot expedient by which I obtained a clearer impress of his foot than might otherwise have been possible.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Why should any one murder a man in so clumsy a fashion as by hanging him?

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It can make you sleepy, confused and clumsy.

(Hypothermia, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

I recollected the handcuffs in his state-room, which he preferred to use on sailors instead of the ancient and clumsy ship irons.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It looked clumsy, but the Tin Woodman was sure it was strong and would answer their purpose.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Then she took her clumsy shoe off her left foot, and put on the golden slipper; and it fitted her as if it had been made for her.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

I appear to have given you offence also with my clumsy tongue.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Once upon a yellow sandbank I saw a creature like a huge swan, with a clumsy body and a high, flexible neck, shuffling about upon the margin.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

After all, she’s—Now, the deuce take my clumsy tongue!

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The women looked pretty, except when you got near them, but they were very clumsy about the waist.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)