clumsy
clumsy Lexical Profile
clumsy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Awkward in movement or handling things; lacking physical grace, coordination, or dexterity.
"The puppy was still clumsy on its oversized paws and kept tripping over the rug."
Done without skill, tact, or elegance; poorly thought out or expressed.
"He made a clumsy attempt to apologize, which only made the situation more uncomfortable."
Difficult to handle or use; unwieldy or poorly designed.
"The old software had a clumsy interface that required too many clicks to complete simple tasks."
• Rhymes for clumsy
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century, 'clumsy' derives from the obsolete Middle English verb 'clumsen' (meaning to be stiff or numb with cold), which is of Scandinavian origin and related to Old Norse 'klumsa' (lockjaw or cramp). The sense shifted from fingers stiffened by cold to general physical awkwardness.