clumsy

6 definitions • 9 examples

A clumsy person often has accidents because they do not behave in a careful, controlled way:

That's the third glass you've smashed this week - you're so clumsy!

awkward in movement or manner:

The first mobile phones were heavy and clumsy to use, but nowadays they are much easier to handle.

He gave a clumsy bow.

not skilful in the way you deal with or express something:

Her clumsy handling of the situation only made it worse.

My attempts to apologize were very clumsy.

Some of the wording of the statement was a bit clumsy.

awkward in movement or manner:

I’m so clumsy – I keep dropping things.

Clumsy also means done in an awkward or embarrassing way:

He subsequently wrote a letter to the magazine in an admittedly clumsy try at explaining his viewpoint.

Something that is clumsy is too big or complicated to be dealt with easily:

She would be at the mercy of a clumsy bureaucracy.