Ungainliest: meaning, definitions and examples
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ungainliest
[ ʌnˈɡeɪnliɪst ]
physical appearance
Ungainliest refers to something or someone that lacks grace or elegance, often appearing clumsy or awkward in movement or form. This term can describe physical attributes that do not promote a harmonious or pleasing aesthetic. It typically implies a certain heaviness or ungracefulness in demeanor or posture. People might use this term in both casual and serious contexts to convey a critical perspective on someone's physicality or performance.
Synonyms
awkward, clumsy, inelegant, ungraceful.
Examples of usage
- He moved with an ungainliest gait after the injury.
- The ungainliest runner tripped at the finish line.
- Her ungainliest attempts at dancing drew laughter from the audience.
Translations
Translations of the word "ungainliest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 menos ágil
🇮🇳 अजीब
🇩🇪 ungelenkig
🇮🇩 paling canggung
🇺🇦 найнезграбніший
🇵🇱 najbardziej niezgrabny
🇯🇵 最も不器用な
🇫🇷 le plus maladroit
🇪🇸 el más torpe
🇹🇷 en beceriksiz
🇰🇷 가장 서투른
🇸🇦 الأكثر عدم قدرة
🇨🇿 nejméně obratný
🇸🇰 najmenej zručný
🇨🇳 最笨拙的
🇸🇮 najbolj neroden
🇮🇸 þeir sem eru ófærir
🇰🇿 ең бейберекет
🇬🇪 ყველაზე მოუქნელი
🇦🇿 ən aciz
🇲🇽 el más torpe
Etymology
The adjective 'ungainly' has its roots in the Middle English term 'gainly,' which originally meant 'graceful' or 'pleasing.' It is derived from the combination of 'un-' which is a prefix meaning 'not' or 'opposite of,' and 'gainly,' so 'ungainly' translates to 'not graceful.' The evolution of 'gainly' is linked to the word 'gane,' which has Old English origins implying beauty or form. The usage of 'ungainly' has consistently suggested a lack of physical coordination or aesthetic appeal, often used in literature and speech to critique movement that seems awkward or clumsy. The earliest recorded usages can be traced back to the 16th century, and it has since permeated English vernacular, maintaining its descriptive power related to ungainliness in motion or appearance.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,752, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.