clumsy

Word family

clum·sy /ˈklʌmzi/ adjectiveadj (comparativecomp clumsier, superlativesupl clumsiest)

1 CLUMSYmoving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc 笨拙的，不灵活的

A clumsy waiter spilled wine all over her new skirt.

一名笨手笨脚的服务员把葡萄酒洒得她新裙子上到处都是。

a clumsy attempt to catch the ball

笨拙的接球动作

► see thesaurus at careless

2. CLUMSYa clumsy object is not easy to use and is often large and heavy 〔物体〕笨重的

3 CARELESSa clumsy action or statement is said or done carelessly or badly, and likely to upset someone 〔行为或说话〕笨拙的，不得体的

David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us.

戴维笨嘴拙舌地安慰我们。

—clumsily adverbadv

—clumsiness noun [uncountableU]

n THESAURUS

clumsy adjectiveadj 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.

With clumsy fingers he took out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one.

awkward adjectiveadj moving in a way that does not seem relaxed or comfortable

Her husband always looked a bit awkward when he was dancing.

an awkward teenager

ungainly adjectiveadj moving in a way that is not graceful – used especially about people or things that are big

The ostrich is rather an ungainly bird.

She collapsed into the chair in an ungainly manner.

uncoordinated adjectiveadj 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 adjectiveadj 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 EnglishBrE informal, be all thumbs American EnglishAmE 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.’

Examples from the Corpus

clumsy• Her big-boned body felt clumsy and she placed the tray on the coffee table with a loud clatter.• His writing is clumsy and unconvincing.• I was tall and clumsy as a child, so I avoided sports.• Dana made a clumsy attempt to catch the ball.• Andrew made a clumsy attempt to kiss her, but she pushed him away.• And I had always felt clumsy because the giving of cash in my own culture is tainted.• The show is a clumsy blend of news and entertainment.• a clumsy camera• When he left, the other actors offered him clumsy commiseration, as to some one who had been bereaved.• a large man with big clumsy hands• You clumsy idiot! Look what you've done to my car.• Fumbling, fingers clumsy in her panic, she dragged at the plastic retaining clips.• It was like watching a clumsy remake of an old movie.• a clumsy, shy thirteen-year-old boy• But I am pretty clumsy so I had better not take up too many other sports.• Writing is downgraded as if it is a clumsy substitute for more efficient means of preserving data and the findings or conclusions.• It was only her thick-handed, clumsy way of helping me, advancing an imaginary project that obsesses her.• I was so shy and clumsy when I was seventeen.• Paula always felt clumsy when she had to serve food to people.

clumsy attempt• But of course he had, and my clumsy attempt to avoid detection only served to make the retribution fiercer.• His clumsy attempt to distract her attention was all the warning she needed.• Donna turned as Ryker came at her, avoiding his clumsy attempts to grab her.• Some swine had bashed the offside rear three-quarter in a very clumsy attempt to park behind me.