clumsy B2 Topic:Describing Qualities US /ˈklʌmzi/ UK /ˈklʌmzi/ See IPA manual Freq #7140 Meanings 1 adj Moving in an awkward way and often dropping or knocking things. He's so clumsy that he keeps dropping the dishes. 2 adj Done without skill, care, or tact. It was a clumsy attempt to apologize. 3 adj Difficult to use or handle because of its shape or size. The old tool was heavy and clumsy to use. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adj · moving in an awkward way... bumblingclunky 2 adj · done without skill, care,... inept 3 adj · difficult to use or handle... awkward Word family Forms clumsierclumsiestclumsiness Derived forms beclumpseclumsilyclumsiness Etymology AI details Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y. More at clumse. Topics Describing Qualities Actions & Processes External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # clumsy **Type:** Word **Level:** B2 **Part of speech:** adj **IPA (US):** /ˈklʌmzi/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈklʌmzi/ **Frequency rank:** 7140 ## Meanings 1. Moving in an awkward way and often dropping or knocking things. 2. Done without skill, care, or tact. 3. Difficult to use or handle because of its shape or size. ## Examples - He's so clumsy that he keeps dropping the dishes. - It was a clumsy attempt to apologize. - The old tool was heavy and clumsy to use. ## Derived Forms - beclumpse - clumsily - clumsiness ## Etymology Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y. More at clumse. ## AI Etymology clumsy is an adjective and noun. Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y. More at clumse. Current senses include moving in an awkward way and often dropping or knocking things, done without skill, care, or tact, and difficult to use or handle because of its shape or size. Derived forms include beclumpse, clumsily, and clumsiness. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Actions & Processes markdown