CLUMSINESS Definition & Meaning

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clumsiness

[ kluhm-zee-nis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

awkwardness or lack of skill or grace in movement or action:
In spite of their large size and reputed clumsiness, bears are fleet-footed.
the fact or quality of being awkwardly done or made, or of being poorly contrived, difficult to use, etc.:
The story wasn't bad, but had moments of clumsiness.
Despite the winning concept of a phone combined with a gaming console, this version was doomed by the clumsiness of its design.

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of clumsiness¹

First recorded in 1650–60; clumsy ( def ) + -ness ( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These include difficulty concentrating, depression, stumbling and clumsiness, involuntary jerking of the limbs and body, mood swings and personality changes, problems swallowing, speaking and breathing.

From

The game, unsurprisingly, was a cavalcade of clumsiness.

From

"I regret my clumsiness and lack of care in choosing my words and can see the upset and offence they caused," he said.

From

A child's personality and behavior may change, and clumsiness or stumbling develops between the ages of five and ten.

From

Marc said: "They would say, 'How's the mum now?'. It's surrogate not mum. I think it's more clumsiness than anything else or lack of knowledge."

From

clump clumsy

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