[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/clumsy/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / clumsy

# clumsy

adjective (clumsy, clumsier, clumsiest)

«clumsy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A clumsy person moves in an awkward, careless way, and often drops, bumps or breaks things. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#m1)
2. A clumsy thing is big, heavy and hard to use or move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#m2)
3. Clumsy words or actions are not done well or sensitively: «a clumsy apology». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life, everyone can be clumsy sometimes, especially when tired or growing fast. In stories, clumsy characters (a clumsy giant, a clumsy puppy) are often funny. In writing lessons, a «clumsy sentence» is awkward and needs rewriting. Phrases: «clumsy fingers», «a clumsy mistake», «a clumsy attempt».

### Examples

- I'm so clumsy — I knocked over my drink again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x1)
- The clumsy puppy tripped over its own paws. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x2)
- My fingers felt clumsy in the thick gloves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x3)
- The giant was big and clumsy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x4)
- That's a clumsy sentence; try to make it shorter. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x5)
- He made a clumsy attempt to say sorry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x6)
- The old wardrobe was too clumsy to carry upstairs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x7)
- Be careful, don't be clumsy with the glass bowl. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x8)
- “‘I wonder if that farmer thought to fool me in this clumsy manner. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/#x9)

### Note

Spelling: clumsy (no «b»: not «clumbsy»). Comparatives: clumsier, clumsiest. Adverb: clumsily; noun: clumsiness. Opposite: graceful, nimble. Being clumsy is not being bad — be kind if someone drops something.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «clumsy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clumsy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«clumsy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/clumsy.html) on Mova free.