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

Kisses her mouth, but the gesture is awkward, clumsy; their teeth strike together, and Brianna winces. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

As well as making a star of Alicia Silverstone, the original movie showcased the talents of Paul Rudd who played her stepbrother Josh (and went onto become Phoebe’s partner in Friends and take on the role of Ant Man) and the late Brittany Murphy, who played Cher’s clumsy friend Tai. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Howe got down to the final two before Newcastle made a clumsy, public approach to Unai Emery, who was then at Villarreal and is now Aston Villa manager. —George Caulkin, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025

This contrasts starkly with the clumsy federal bureaucracy, and the failure of its various components to take an ownership stake in the crisis. —Kelly McKinney, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025

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