clumsy
Noun pluralclumsies
Pluralclumsies
- 1Moving in an awkward way and often tripping, dropping things, or bumping into things.
Like a new puppy that keeps tripping over its own feet.
He felt clumsy on the dance floor and kept stepping on people's toes.
Her clumsy fingers could not tie the tiny knot.
Similarawkward, uncoordinated, ungainly, graceless, gawky
Oppositegraceful, agile, nimble, dexterous
Note
- 2Hard to use or hold because of an awkward shape or size.
Like a spoon so big it won't fit in your mouth.
The old phone was clumsy and too big to hold in one hand.
She found the heavy, clumsy tool hard to carry up the ladder.
Similarunwieldy, awkward, cumbersome, bulky
Oppositehandy, convenient, manageable
- 3Said or done in an awkward way, without care, skill, or good planning.
Like blurting out the wrong thing at the wrong moment.
His clumsy apology only made her angrier.
The whole plan was clumsy and full of obvious mistakes.
Similarawkward, tactless, inept, heavy-handed, crude
Oppositetactful, deft, skillful, subtle
Note
- 4A person who is awkward and often trips, drops things, or bumps into things.
Like the friend who always knocks over the glass at dinner.
My brother is a real clumsy who breaks at least one glass a week.
Don't be such a clumsy. Carry the plates with both hands.
Similarklutz, oaf, butterfingers
Note
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Origin
Maybe from an old word meaning "numb" or from a word for a clumsy, stupid person, plus "-y".