WordGarden.ioclumsiness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /klˈʌmzɪnəs/
US
- /ˈkləmzinəs/
Meanings
Noun
awkward or poorly coordinated physical movement or handling
inept or awkward handling of a task, statement, plan, or design
lack of tact, grace, or ease in social behavior
Beyond the definition
Clumsiness isn't about being intentionally careless; it's that frustrating tendency to bump into things, trip over nothing, or send objects flying when you didn't mean to. Think of a baby giraffe learning to walk—all wobbly legs and unexpected tumbles! It describes a lack of grace or coordination. A famous character known for his clumsiness is Mr. Bean, whose mishaps always lead to hilarious situations. You might describe someone as having "a bit of clumsiness" if they frequently knock things over, but it's usually harmless and even endearing. Less often, it can also mean an awkward, bungling way of handling words or situations.
Clumsiness refers to the quality or state of being awkward, uncoordinated, and prone to making mistakes due to a lack of physical dexterity. It's more than just occasionally dropping something; it suggests a consistent pattern of mishaps stemming from difficulty controlling one's movements.
The word evokes images of flailing limbs, near-miss collisions, and a general sense of being "all thumbs." A clumsy person might struggle with tasks requiring fine motor skills, like buttoning a shirt or tying shoelaces. It can be temporary – perhaps you're clumsy when wearing new shoes or after a long day – or it can be a more inherent trait.
While often used lightheartedly to describe minor mishaps ("She has a certain clumsiness that's actually quite charming"), it can also refer to a significant lack of coordination impacting daily life. Clumsiness isn't necessarily about intelligence; someone brilliant can still be remarkably clumsy! Think of the "absent-minded professor" trope—someone so deep in thought that they are utterly oblivious to their physical surroundings and prone to tripping over their own feet.
So, whether it's a spilled cup of coffee or a spectacular tumble, clumsiness speaks to a disconnect between intention and execution—a charming (or frustrating!) lack of physical grace.
Examples
- 1
Kitchen accident
Her clumsiness in the kitchen showed when she dropped the bowl.
- 2
Tool skill
He blamed his clumsiness with chopsticks on lack of practice.
- Patternclumsiness with + tool/object
lack of skill in using it
- 3
Email wording
The manager apologized for the clumsiness of the wording in the email.
- Patternclumsiness of + wording/phrasing
awkwardness in how something is written
- 4
Social behavior
Her social clumsiness made first meetings feel uncomfortable.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Crisis handling
Critics said the government's clumsiness in handling the crisis made things worse.
- Patternclumsiness in handling + problem
an awkward, ineffective way of dealing with it
See also
Similar
- awkwardness
- ungainliness
- maladroitness
Shades of meaning
- gawkiness
- ham-fistedness
- fumbling
Contrast
- gracefulness
- dexterity
Used with (collocations)
- physical clumsiness
- a moment of clumsiness
Word family
Explore
- coordination
- motor skills
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- clumsinessnoun