clumsy
pronunciation
How to pronounce clumsy in British English:
UK [ˈklʌmzi]
How to pronounce clumsy in American English:
US [ˈklʌmzi]
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- Adjective:
- lacking grace in movement or posture
- not elegant or graceful in expression
- difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
- showing lack of skill or aptitude
Word Origin
- clumsy
- clumsy: [16] When clumsy first appeared on the scene around 1600, both it and the presumably related but now obsolete clumse were used not only for ‘awkward’ but also for ‘numb with cold’. This, and the fact that the word’s nearest apparent relatives are Scandinavian (such as Swedish dialect klumsig ‘numb, clumsy’), suggests that the notion originally contained in them was of being torpid from cold – so cold that one is sluggish and cannot coordinate one’s actions.
- clumsy (adj.)
- 1590s, "acting as if benumbed," alteration of Middle English clumsid "numb with cold" (14c.), past participle of clumsen "to benumb, stiffen or paralyze with cold or fear," from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse klumsa "make speechless, palsy; prevent from speaking," intensive of kluma "to make motionless." For insertion of -s-, see flimsy. Not in general use until 18c., with senses "manifesting awkwardness; so made as to be unwieldy." Related: Clumsily; clumsiness. Compare Swedish dialectal klummsen "benumbed with cold," Norwegian klumsad (past participle) "speechless, palsied by a spasm or by fear or witchery;" German verklammen "grow stiff or numb with cold." Also compare clumse (n.) "a stupid fellow."
Synonym
Example
- 1. A blackberry 's keys are more forgiving of clumsy thumbs .
- 2. His speeches were clumsy , and his delivery was frequently stumbling and bombastic .
- 3. Dropped something and said to yourself " I 'm clumsy "
- 4. With such clumsy communication in that release , audi apparently still has a little more to learn .
- 5. They are like a fast-growing adolescent , sometimes boisterous , sometimes clumsy but still developing .