Meaning & Definition of Clumsy in English

1. Lacking grace in movement or posture

• "A gawky lad with long ungainly legs"

• "Clumsy fingers"

• "What an ungainly creature a giraffe is"

• "Heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair"

2. Not elegant or graceful in expression

• "An awkward prose style"

• "A clumsy apology"

• "His cumbersome writing style"

• "If the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?"

3. Difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape

• "An awkward bundle to carry"

• "A load of bunglesome paraphernalia"

• "Clumsy wooden shoes"

• "The cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl"

4. Showing lack of skill or aptitude

• "A bungling workman"

• "Did a clumsy job"

• "His fumbling attempt to put up a shelf"