clumsy

adjective

clum·​sy ˈkləm-zē 

clumsier; clumsiest

1

a

: lacking dexterity, nimbleness, or grace

clumsy fingers

b

: lacking tact or subtlety

a clumsy joke

2

: awkward or inefficient in use or construction : unwieldy

a clumsy contraption

criticized her sentence for its clumsy construction

clumsily

ˈkləm-zə-lē 

adverb

clumsiness

ˈkləm-zē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• awkward
• butterfingered
• cack-handed [British]
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed
• handless
• heavy-handed
• left-handed
• maladroit
• unhandy

Choose the Right Synonym for clumsy

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct).

awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Examples of clumsy in a Sentence

I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me.

I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things.

She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a moment when Liston was hurling a clumsy punch and his balance was susceptible, Ali threw what looked like a swiping right graze at his opponent’s head. —Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025

Even observers who think the outlook for China’s economy is less dire agree that its growth is slowing and will be constrained by structural challenges and a clumsy policymaking process. —Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

As a clumsy child, my mom would repeatedly tell me to be aware of my surroundings. —Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

One bad story — or dumb headline, or clumsy phrase that gets screenshot and lit up — does not a failed publication, or industry, make. —Jim Vandehei, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete English clumse benumbed with cold

First Known Use

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

clumsy

adjective

clum·​sy ˈkləm-zē 

clumsier; clumsiest

1

a

: lacking skill or grace in movement

clumsy fingers

b

: showing social awkwardness or a lack of tact

a clumsy attempt at a joke

2

: awkwardly or poorly made : hard to use

a clumsy tool

clumsily

-zə-lē 

adverb

clumsiness

-zē-nəs 

noun