# clumsy

Pronunciation: say "KLUM-zee" /ˈklʌmzi/

## Adjective

1. Moving or acting in an awkward way, without grace or coordination.
   - Simple: Moving in an awkward way and often tripping, dropping things, or bumping into things.
   - _The toddler was still clumsy, stumbling over toys as he crossed the room._
   - _A clumsy waiter knocked over three glasses during the dinner rush._
2. Difficult to handle or use because of an awkward shape, size, or design.
   - Simple: Hard to use or hold because of an awkward shape or size.
   - _The early prototype was clumsy, with its controls placed where no one could reach them._
   - _Carrying the clumsy, oversized box up the narrow stairs took both of them._
3. Awkward or poorly handled, lacking tact, subtlety, or careful planning.
   - Simple: Said or done in an awkward way, without care, skill, or good planning.
   - _The negotiation collapsed after a clumsy remark about the other side's budget._
   - _Critics called the new policy a clumsy attempt to please everyone at once._

## Noun

4. An awkward, uncoordinated person; one given to tripping, fumbling, or knocking things over. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: A person who is awkward and often trips, drops things, or bumps into things.
   - _The new waiter turned out to be a hopeless clumsy, dropping trays all evening._
   - _She laughed off being a clumsy after spilling wine across the table._

## Origin

Possibly an alteration of "clumsed" (meaning "benumbed") or from "clumse" (a stupid fellow or lout) plus the suffix "-y".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/clumsy (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).