Ungainly
adjective
Moving in an awkward or difficult way.
The baby took her first ungainly steps.
Often appears as...
- ungainly steps
- ungainly movement
adjective
Not attractive or well designed.
An ungainly piece of furniture.
Often appears as...
- ungainly furniture
- ungainly structure
adjective
Hard to handle or manage, especially because of size.
The package was so big it was ungainly to carry
Often appears as...
- ungainly package
- ungainly burden
adjective
Moving in an awkward or difficult way.
The baby took her first ungainly steps.
Often appears as...
- ungainly steps
- ungainly movement
adjective
Not attractive or well designed.
An ungainly piece of furniture.
Often appears as...
- ungainly furniture
- ungainly structure
adjective
Hard to handle or manage, especially because of size.
The package was so big it was ungainly to carry
Often appears as...
- ungainly package
- ungainly burden
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Awkwardness
Use 'ungainly' to describe awkward actions or movements of living beings, often due to inexperience.
The foal's ungainly trot was endearing.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Insulting
'Ungainly' is descriptive, not offensive; used for factual, not negative character judgment.
His laughter was hearty but ungainly.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Trait
Describing someone as 'ungainly' can imply the potential for improvement over time.
After hours of practice, her previously ungainly swim strokes became graceful.
Compare with
awkwardbumbleclumsygracelessinelegantlumbermaladroituncoordinated
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Video examples
Just How BIG are...
Up here on land, they're impossibly ungainly and out of place. But for these female elephant seals there's still one part of their life
Video examples
Just How BIG are...
Up here on land, they're impossibly ungainly and out of place. But for these female elephant seals there's still one part of their life
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Rebecca Traister
American Author
All the epic allusions contribute to the difficulty Clinton has long had in coming across as, simply, a human being. She is uneasy with the press and ungainly on the stump. Catching a glimpse of the 'real' her often entails spying something out of the corner of your eye, in a moment when she's not trying to be, or to sell, 'Hillary Clinton.
Quote examples
Elton John
English Musician
When Little Richard used to stand up and play it was just fabulous, and Liberace had the candlesticks and the rings and the gift of the gab. The piano's is the most ungainly rock' n' roll instrument of all time but those two people transcended it, as did Jerry Lee Lewis.
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
It's never said out aloud, or in so many words, but for many urban, upper caste Indians, 'the backwards' are precisely that - citizens of the hinterland, ungainly and otherworldly - an inconvenient blemish on their shining, gleaming future.
Quote examples
Simon Schama
British Historian
The British who arrived in the United States in the eighteen-thirties and forties had imagined the young republic as a wide-eyed adolescent, socially ungainly and politically gauche, but with some hint of promise.
Quote examples
Cyd Charisse
American Actress
Unless you have the right legs, these mini-skirts are ungainly and uncomfortable. They're just a fad.
Quote examples
Ellie Taylor
English Comedian
I'm quite ungainly.
Quote examples
Rebecca Traister
American Author
All the epic allusions contribute to the difficulty Clinton has long had in coming across as, simply, a human being. She is uneasy with the press and ungainly on the stump. Catching a glimpse of the 'real' her often entails spying something out of the corner of your eye, in a moment when she's not trying to be, or to sell, 'Hillary Clinton.
Quote examples
Elton John
English Musician
When Little Richard used to stand up and play it was just fabulous, and Liberace had the candlesticks and the rings and the gift of the gab. The piano's is the most ungainly rock' n' roll instrument of all time but those two people transcended it, as did Jerry Lee Lewis.
Quote examples
Barkha Dutt
Indian Journalist
It's never said out aloud, or in so many words, but for many urban, upper caste Indians, 'the backwards' are precisely that - citizens of the hinterland, ungainly and otherworldly - an inconvenient blemish on their shining, gleaming future.
Quote examples
Simon Schama
British Historian
The British who arrived in the United States in the eighteen-thirties and forties had imagined the young republic as a wide-eyed adolescent, socially ungainly and politically gauche, but with some hint of promise.
Quote examples
Cyd Charisse
American Actress
Unless you have the right legs, these mini-skirts are ungainly and uncomfortable. They're just a fad.
Quote examples
Ellie Taylor
English Comedian
I'm quite ungainly.
Example 1 of 6
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