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Ungainliness: meaning, definitions and examples

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ungainliness

 

[ ʌnˈɡeɪn.lɪ.nəs ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

physical awkwardness

Ungainliness refers to the state or quality of being awkward, clumsy, or lacking grace in movement or appearance. It is often used to describe someone whose physical form or movements are not fluid or aesthetically pleasing. The term can also imply a certain heaviness or lack of elegance.

Synonyms

awkwardness, clumsiness, gracelessness, ungainly

Examples of usage

  • Her ungainliness on the dance floor made everyone giggle.
  • The ungainliness of the puppy was endearing to watch.
  • Despite his ungainliness, he managed to play the sport well.
  • The sculpture's ungainliness contrasts with traditional forms.

Etymology

The word 'ungainliness' has its roots in the early 17th century, deriving from the adjective 'ungainly', which originally meant 'not easily managed' or 'awkward.' This, in turn, comes from the term 'gainly', which means 'graceful' or 'well-formed.' The prefix 'un-' denotes negation, so 'ungainly' refers to the opposite of being graceful. The noun form 'ungainliness' was formed by adding the suffix '-ness', indicating a state or quality. Initially, 'gainly' was a much rarer term, but 'ungainly' gained popularity in English literature and usage, particularly when describing the movements of individuals or animals that are physically awkward. Today, 'ungainliness' is often employed in a variety of contexts, from art critique to everyday observations of movement, capturing the essence of physical awkwardness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,527, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.