Clumsy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🤦

Add to dictionary

clumsy

[ˈklʌmzi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in everyday life

Lacking skill or dexterity; awkward in movement or handling. Showing a lack of coordination or grace.

Synonyms

awkward, awkward, inept, ungainly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
clumsy	Used when referring to someone or something that often has accidents or lacks skill and grace in movement. He is so clumsy; he always trips over his own feet. The clumsy waiter spilled soup all over the table.
awkward	Applicable when describing situations or people who cause discomfort due to lack of social finesse or grace. It can also describe something difficult to handle physically. Her awkward silence made everyone in the room uncomfortable. Carrying the large, awkward box was a real challenge.
ungainly	Refers to someone or something that is awkward or clumsy, often with a focus on movement or physical presence, and implies a lack of grace. The ungainly giraffe stumbled through the grass awkwardly. His ungainly way of dancing made everyone laugh.
inept	Used to describe someone who lacks skill or competence in a particular activity or job. Typically carries a more negative connotation. He is completely inept at managing his team, leading to numerous issues. Her inept handling of the situation only made things worse.

Examples of usage

She was always dropping things because of her clumsy hands.
He tripped over his own feet, a clumsy move that caused him to stumble.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

social situations

Lacking tact or subtlety; awkwardly unskillful in dealing with others.

Synonyms

awkward, inept, tactless, unskillful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
clumsy	Used to describe someone who tends to drop things or bump into things, often physically uncoordinated. She is so clumsy that she spilled her coffee all over the table His clumsy dance steps made everyone laugh
awkward	Often refers to social situations where someone feels uneasy, uncomfortable, or out of place. There was an awkward silence during dinner Meeting his ex-girlfriend at the party was quite awkward
inept	Describes someone who is completely lacking skill or competence in a particular area. Often has a more negative or critical connotation. He was completely inept at handling even the simplest of tasks Her ineptitude in cooking was obvious from the burnt dinner
tactless	Refers to someone who speaks or acts without considering other people's feelings, often resulting in offending others. His tactless comments about her weight made everyone uncomfortable She has a tactless way of bringing up sensitive topics
unskillful	Describes someone who lacks skill or proficiency in a specific area or activity, but generally less harsh than 'inept'. The unskillful painter could not stay inside the lines His unskillful attempt at playing the guitar was painful to listen to

Examples of usage

He made a clumsy attempt at a joke that fell flat.
She tends to be clumsy in social situations, often saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People often perceive physical awkwardness as a sign of nervousness or social anxiety.
Studies suggest that clumsiness can stem from a lack of coordination, which might be linked to brain development.
In some cases, being clumsy is associated with distraction, showing that people might be preoccupied with their thoughts.

Pop Culture

Characters like Shrek and Homer Simpson are often portrayed as clumsy, embodying the charm of being awkward.
Clumsy humor, characterized by physical gags and slips, is a common theme in comedy movies – think of many scenes in cartoons and comedies.
Many animated films showcase clumsy characters, making them relatable and endearing to audiences.

Science

Researchers in neurology have found that some forms of clumsiness can be linked to conditions like Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Balance and movement are controlled by the cerebellum in the brain; issues here can lead to a more clumsy demeanor.
Studies show that fine motor skills tend to develop at different rates in early childhood, affecting how graceful a child is as they grow.

Literature

Within literary works, clumsy characters often serve to highlight the theme of overcoming adversity through humor.
Authors like Jane Austen often use clumsy social interactions to reveal deeper character traits and societal critiques.
In children's literature, clumsy animals are often depicted as heroes who learn to embrace their uniqueness.

Origin of 'clumsy'

Main points about word origin

The word 'clumsy' comes from the Middle English word 'clumsi', which means 'lame or stiff'.
In Old Norse, there's a similar term 'klumsa', which refers to stumbling or tripping.
This term has been used in the English language since the late 14th century.

The word 'clumsy' originated from the Old English word 'clumsian', meaning to be ungraceful or awkward. Over time, it has evolved to describe someone who lacks skill or coordination. The term has been used since the 16th century to describe individuals who are awkward or uncoordinated in their movements.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,736, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11733 unnoticed
11734 responsiveness
11735 perpetuate
11736 clumsy
11737 autopsy
11738 rug
11739 dominating
...