clumsy

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word clumsy. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word clumsy, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say clumsy in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word clumsy you have here. The definition of the word clumsy will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofclumsy, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (benumbed) or from clumse (a stupid fellow; lout) +‎ -y. More at clumse.

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈklʌmzi/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

clumsy (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest)

  1. Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.
    He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.
  2. Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.
    It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.
    What a clumsy joke
    • 1600 or 1601 (date written), I. M. [i.e., John Marston], “The Prologue”, in Antonios Reuenge. The Second Part. , London: for Thomas Fisher, and are to be soulde  , published 1602, →OCLC, signature A2, recto:
      The ravviſh danke of clumzie vvinter ramps / The fluent ſummers vaine: and drizling ſleete / Chilleth the vvan bleak cheek of the numd earth, / VVhilſt ſnarling guſts nibble the iuyceles leaues, / From the nak't ſhuddring branch; []
  3. Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.

Derived terms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

Noun

clumsy (plural clumsies)

  1. (informal, fairly rare) A clumsy person.
    • 1934, P L Travers, “Bad Tuesday”, in Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins; 1), London: Gerald Howe Ltd , →OCLC, page 82:
      On the stairs he met Ellen, the housemaid, and as he passed her he knocked the hot-water jug out of her hand. “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water.

Synonyms

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

Anagrams