un ‧ gain ‧ ly /ʌnˈɡeɪnli/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: gainly 'proper, graceful, pleasing' (14-20 centuries) , from gain 'direct, kind, useful' (10-19 centuries) , from Old Norse gegn ]
moving in a way that does not look graceful:
a tall ungainly teenager
—ungainliness 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.’