ˈkləmzē, -zi adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: probably from obsolete English clumse benumbed with cold + English -y; of Scandinavian origin (like Middle English clumsen to become stiff); akin to Icelandic klumsa lock-jawed, Swedish dialect klumsen benumbed; akin to Old English clamm bandage, bond, fetter — more at clam
1.
a. : lacking dexterity, skill, nimbleness, or grace (as in the use of the body or limbs or the performance of an action) : stiff or awkward in motion
he was a clumsy dissector because of his injury — H.G.Wells
b. : lacking intellectual skill or adroitness, grace or elegance (as in handling words or ideas) : lacking tact or subtlety
a clumsy joke
clumsy diplomacy
2. : heavy and unwieldy : awkwardly or poorly made
roads were very bad, wagons very slow and clumsy — Tom Wintringham
: inconvenient, inefficient, or ineffective in use
clumsy as it was … the Aztec picture writing seems to have been adequate — W.H.Prescott
Synonyms: see awkward