clumsy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "clumsy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is physically awkward or uncoordinated. For example, "The clumsy child tripped over her own feet while trying to cross the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such control would be clumsy and expensive and involve a new shadow frontier with western Ukraine that could be a continued source of unwanted, as opposed to manipulated, troubles.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a young boy he was clumsy and, at times, absent-minded.

The Guardian - Sport

And his all-round play seems to be deteriorating; against Stoke on Saturday his touch seemed clumsy and his passing wonky (mind you, he was not alone in that).

The Guardian - Sport

He said the officer was making a point against segregation, but conceded the comments were "clumsy and crass".

The Guardian

It is de rigueur for anyone under 80 who receives a lifetime achievement at a film awards ceremony to make pretty much that joke, even though we all know, really, that the award is not a death certificate but just a clumsy apology for not having given the recipient more awards before.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if I want clumsy homages to 2001: A Space Odyssey, I'll head to a sixth-form college short-film night.

The Guardian - Film

Google has come under fire for its "clumsy" approach to obeying Europe's new "right to be forgotten" law, after it began blocking some name-based searches to articles on the websites of UK news organisations.

The Guardian - Tech

He grew a lot in a short time and he really looked clumsy.

The Guardian - Sport

Between his two efforts Cahill also played a key role in Australia's second, fouled in the Ecuador penalty area following a clumsy challenge from Gabriel Achilier.

The Guardian - Sport

Again, it falls to Nina to resolve the situation, and in clumsy British fashion we got to something approaching a happy ending.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Their relationship goes well – except that if you watch Redmayne's exceptionally precise and quite brilliant performance closely, you will notice he gradually becomes more clumsy and less able to control his movements.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clumsy" to describe actions or solutions, consider whether "inelegant" or "ineffective" might be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "clumsy" solely for physical descriptions. It often carries a connotation of poor planning or execution; consider alternatives like "awkward" or "unwieldy" for purely physical attributes.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "clumsy" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of physical coordination, grace, or skill. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it can also describe actions, solutions, or attempts that lack finesse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "clumsy" is an adjective used to describe a lack of physical coordination, grace, or skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and even scientific discussions. While generally neutral in register, it often carries a negative connotation when describing actions, attempts or solutions. When considering alternative words, "awkward", "ungainly" and "inept" can often act as suitable substitutes. Remember, when describing physical attributes or solutions, other options like "unwieldy", "inelegant" or "ineffective" may be more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awkward

Focuses on the social discomfort or unease caused by the action or person, rather than physical ineptitude.

ungainly

Emphasizes the lack of grace or smoothness in movement or appearance.

inept

Highlights a general lack of skill or competence in performing a task.

maladroit

Indicates a lack of dexterity or skill in handling objects or situations, often with social implications.

bungling

Suggests incompetence and a tendency to make mistakes due to clumsiness or lack of skill.

heavy-handed

Describes actions performed without finesse or subtlety, often resulting in negative consequences.

fumbling

Implies a lack of coordination and difficulty in handling things, often due to nervousness or inexperience.

unwieldy

Refers to something that is difficult to manage or control due to its size, shape, or weight.

klutzy

An informal term for being clumsy, implying a lack of physical coordination.

ham-fisted

Describes someone who is clumsy or awkward, especially in handling objects or performing tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "clumsy" in a sentence?

You can use "clumsy" to describe someone physically awkward, like "The "clumsy" child tripped over the rug", or to describe something lacking finesse, like "The solution was "clumsy" but effective".

What's the difference between "clumsy" and "awkward"?

"Clumsy" primarily refers to a lack of physical coordination or grace, while "awkward" often describes a socially uncomfortable or ungainly situation or behavior. While both can overlap, "awkward" focuses more on the social aspect.

What can I say instead of "clumsy" to describe a solution?

Alternatives to "clumsy" for describing a solution include "inelegant", "cumbersome", "ineffective", or "unwieldy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "clumsy" to describe an attempt or effort?

Yes, "clumsy" can effectively describe an attempt or effort that lacks finesse or skill, such as "a "clumsy" attempt at an apology".