clumsy
clum‧sy /ˈklʌmzi/
adjective (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest)
A clumsy waiter spilled wine all over her new skirt.
a clumsy attempt to catch the ball
2. a clumsy object is not easy to use and is often large and heavy
3. a clumsy action or statement is said or done carelessly or badly, and likely to upset someone:
David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us.
—clumsily adverb
—clumsiness noun [uncountable]
▪ clumsy adjective moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc: She was very clumsy and was always walking into doors. | With clumsy fingers he took out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one.
▪awkward adjective moving in a way that does not seem relaxed or comfortable: Her husband always looked a bit awkward when he was dancing. | an awkward teenager
▪ungainly adjective moving in a way that is not graceful – used especially about people or things that are big: The ostrich is rather an ungainly bird. | She collapsed into the chair in an ungainly manner.
▪uncoordinated adjective not able to control your movements very well, and therefore not very good at physical activities: When she first starting playing tennis, her movements were slow and uncoordinated.
▪accident-prone adjective often having accidents: I was very accident-prone as a child and was always having to go to hospital.
▪be all fingers and thumbs British English informal, be all thumbs American English informal to be unable to control your fingers very well, so that you cannot do something: ‘Do you want some help unwrapping that?’ ‘Yes please, I’m all fingers and thumbs today.’
clum‧sy /ˈklʌmzi/
adjective (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest) Date: 1500-1600
Origin: Probably from clumse 'too cold to feel anything' (16-19 centuries), from a Scandinavian language
1. moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc:Origin: Probably from clumse 'too cold to feel anything' (16-19 centuries), from a Scandinavian language
2. a clumsy object is not easy to use and is often large and heavy
3. a clumsy action or statement is said or done carelessly or badly, and likely to upset someone:
—clumsily adverb
—clumsiness noun [uncountable]
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