Antonyms for clumsy


Grammar : Adj
Spell : kluhm-zee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈklʌm zi


Definition of clumsy

Origin :
  • 1590s, "acting as if benumbed," alteration of Middle English clumsid "numb with cold" (14c.), past participle of clumsen "to benumb, stiffen or paralyze with cold or fear," from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse klumsa "make speechless, palsy; prevent from speaking," intensive of kluma "to make motionless." For insertion of -s-, cf. flimsy.
  • Not in general use until 18c., with senses "manifesting awkwardness; so made as to be unwieldy." Related: Clumsily; clumsiness. Cf. Swedish dialectal klummsen "benumbed with cold," Norwegian klumsad (past participle) "speechless, palsied by a spasm or by fear or witchery;" German verklammen "grow stiff or numb with cold." Also cf. clumse (n.) "a stupid fellow."
  • adj not agile; awkward
Example sentences :
  • "It's the way you're treating me," he cried, with a clumsy man's awkward attempt at gesture.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • I appear to have given you offence also with my clumsy tongue.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • As he was clumsy in finesse, she understood his idea, and her eyes flashed.
  • Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various
  • The clumsy framework of the receiver was reduced to a neat and portable size.
  • Extract from : « Heroes of the Telegraph » by J. Munro
  • It was clumsy enough, but in my eyes a marvel of engineering art.
  • Extract from : « Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood » by George MacDonald
  • What is amiss with your hand, you clumsy rogue, that you should wear linen round it?'
  • Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Wentworth has appealed to her, and I made a clumsy attempt at an appeal also, but it was of no use.
  • Extract from : « A Woman Intervenes » by Robert Barr
  • I hurried away, followed by Clara's merry laugh at my clumsy gait.
  • Extract from : « Wilfrid Cumbermede » by George MacDonald
  • These clumsy craft had cabins, and in some whole families lived.
  • Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole
  • The devil was large and clumsy, but Sun Wu Kung leaped about nimbly.
  • Extract from : « The Chinese Fairy Book » by Various

Synonyms for clumsy

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019