What does "clumsy" mean?
A clumsy person.
Clumsy
adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·2 syllables ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A clumsy person.
- Grammar: clumsy is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: awkward, inept, ungainly, all thumbs.
- Useful contrasts: adroit, clever, skilled.
- Usage evidence: The clumsy man envied her extraordinary talent.
How to use "clumsy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "clumsy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "clumsy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "clumsy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "clumsy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "clumsy" is acting as adj, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "awkward" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "clumsy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A clumsy person. informal
"On the stairs he met Ellen, the housemaid, and as he passed her he knocked the hot-water jug out of her hand. “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water."
Adjective
- 1 Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.
"He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes."
- 2 Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.
"It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now."
- 3 Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.
Adjective
- 1 not elegant or graceful in expression wordnet
- 2 lacking grace in movement or posture wordnet
- 3 showing lack of skill or aptitude wordnet
- 4 difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The clumsy man envied her extraordinary talent."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "clumsy"?
Common synonyms include: awkward, inept, ungainly, all thumbs, amateur, amateurish.
How do you use "clumsy" in a sentence?
The clumsy man envied her extraordinary talent.
Etymology
Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y. More at clumse.