ungainly

USAGE SUMMARY

"ungainly" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is awkward or clumsy in appearance or movements. For example: "The giraffe's long legs and neck made it appear ungainly as it walked through the grass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She takes Cilla Black, ungainly with her long legs coltishly splayed and drinking from a paper cup, all wrapped up in her limbs, and it's not in the slightest degree humiliating, but lovable.

The Guardian - Arts

With a wobble and a shimmy, I limboed backwards in my canoe, nose brushing against the bridge, to shoot safely out the other side like an ungainly, oversized Poohstick.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If they are going to launch further objections, it would probably be if you are including Plaid Cymru why can't we have the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein and you end up with a debate which clearly would be completely ungainly".

The Guardian

Where once it was awkward and ungainly, now it had blossomed into a thing of beauty, like a glorious figurehead on the majestic ship that would scoop up Hopkins and dump her off somewhere miles away from everyone.

The Guardian

Dili, the capital, an ungainly sprawl between the mountains and the sea, has been spruced up.

The Economist

Unfortunately, Britain's ungainly planning system stands in the way.

The Economist

Only his calls for growth over austerity seem to place him outside the mood of his party, if not the country.On immigration, although the rapid shift in Republican thinking has recently forced Mr Bush into an ungainly flip-flop, his personal and political credibility on the issue should keep him at the heart of the debate.

The Economist

LTE smartphones are often ungainly due to the hefty electronics needed to support it.

The Economist

The translation, although usually fluent, contains oddities: "Wahhabites" is not Anglo-Saxon usage; "ulemas" is an ungainly double plural.

The Economist

And some parts of the church have indulged in ungainly financial contortions in some cases it is alleged both to divert funds away from uses intended by donors and to frustrate creditors with legitimate claims, including its own nuns and priests.

The Economist

Some German makers of military gear are part of civilian industrial giants, such as Airbus Group (which has dropped its ungainly old name, EADS, to adopt the brand of its commercial-aircraft business), and ThyssenKrupp, a steelmaker.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical appearance or movement, use "ungainly" to vividly depict a lack of grace or coordination. For example, "The colt's first steps were adorably ungainly."

Common error

Avoid using "ungainly" when you simply mean 'unattractive'. "Ungainly" specifically refers to a lack of physical grace or coordination, not general unattractiveness. For example, using "awkward" or "unattractive" could be a better option.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "ungainly" primarily functions as a descriptive word, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of grace or coordination. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing both physical objects and abstract situations, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ungainly" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of grace or coordination. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in news, media, and encyclopedia contexts. While alternatives like "awkward" and "clumsy" exist, "ungainly" carries a specific connotation related to physical appearance and movement. To ensure effective writing, remember that "ungainly" specifically refers to a lack of physical grace or coordination, not general unattractiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awkward

A more general term for lacking grace or ease.

clumsy

Focuses on the lack of coordination and potential for mishaps.

gawky

Suggests an awkwardness associated with being tall and lanky, especially in youth.

unwieldy

Emphasizes the difficulty in handling or managing something due to its size or shape.

lumbering

Indicates a heavy and slow movement, often due to size or awkwardness.

maladroit

Highlights a lack of skill or dexterity in handling situations or objects.

inelegant

Directly contrasts with elegance, suggesting a lack of refinement in appearance or movement.

bungling

Focuses on the incompetence and tendency to make mistakes.

klutzy

An informal term for clumsiness, often implying a humorous aspect.

cumbersome

Highlights the inconvenience and difficulty caused by something being awkward to handle.

FAQs

How can I use "ungainly" in a sentence?

You can use "ungainly" to describe something that lacks grace or is clumsy. For example, "The toddler made an "ungainly" attempt to climb the stairs."

What words can I use instead of "ungainly"?

Alternatives to "ungainly" include "awkward", "clumsy", or "gawky" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ungainly movement" or "ungainly movements"?

Both are correct depending on whether you are referring to a singular or plural instance. "Ungainly movement" describes a single instance, while "ungainly movements" describes multiple instances.

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

"Ungainly" often refers to a physical lack of grace, whereas "awkward" can also describe social situations or feelings.