clumsy

ENEnglish
//ˈklʌmzi//(UK, US)

Direct German Translations & Equivalents:

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Definitions & Usage

adjective
#1

Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.

Example: He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.
Synonyms:
adjective
#2

Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.

Example: It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.
Example: What a clumsy joke
adjective
#3

Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.

noun
#4

(informal, fairly rare) A clumsy person.

Translations:[DE]Tölpel

Notable Literary & Historical Quotes

The ravviſh danke of clumzie vvinter ramps / The fluent ſummers vaine: and drizling ſleete / Chilleth the vvan bleak cheek of the numd earth, / VVhilſt ſnarling guſts nibble the iuyceles leaues, / From the nak't ſhuddring branch; […]

1600 or 1601 (date written), I. M. [i.e., John Marston], “The Prologue”, in Antonios Reuenge. The Second Part. […], London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Thomas Fisher, and are to be soulde [by Matthew Lownes] […], published 1602, →OCLC, signature A2, recto:

On the stairs he met Ellen, the housemaid, and as he passed her he knocked the hot-water jug out of her hand. “Well, you are a clumsy,” said Ellen, as she bent down to mop up the water.

1934, P[amela] L[yndon] Travers, “Bad Tuesday”, in Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins; 1), London: Gerald Howe Ltd […], →OCLC, page 82:

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