clum ‧ sy /ˈklʌmzi/ BrE AmE adjective ( comparative clumsier , superlative clumsiest )
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: Probably from clumse 'too cold to feel anything' (16-19 centuries) , from a Scandinavian language ]
1 . moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc:
A clumsy waiter spilled wine all over her new skirt.
a clumsy attempt to catch the ball
2 . a clumsy object is not easy to use and is often large and heavy
3 . a clumsy action or statement is said or done carelessly or badly, and likely to upset someone:
David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us.
—clumsily adverb
—clumsiness noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
▪ clumsy adjective moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc:
She was very clumsy and was always walking into doors.
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With clumsy fingers he took out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one.
▪ awkward adjective moving in a way that does not seem relaxed or comfortable:
Her husband always looked a bit awkward when he was dancing.
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an awkward teenager
▪ ungainly adjective moving in a way that is not graceful – used especially about people or things that are big:
The ostrich is rather an ungainly bird.
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She collapsed into the chair in an ungainly manner.
▪ uncoordinated adjective not able to control your movements very well, and therefore not very good at physical activities:
When she first starting playing tennis, her movements were slow and uncoordinated.
▪ accident-prone adjective often having accidents:
I was very accident-prone as a child and was always having to go to hospital.
▪ be all fingers and thumbs British English informal , be all thumbs American English informal to be unable to control your fingers very well, so that you cannot do something:
‘Do you want some help unwrapping that?’ ‘Yes please, I’m all fingers and thumbs today.’