ungainly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
-
lacking grace when moving
-
difficult to move or use; unwieldy
-
rare crude or coarse
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ungainly
1150–1200; (adv.) Middle English ungeinliche, equivalent to un- un- 1 + later Middle English geyn straight, well-disposed, handy (< Old Norse gegn straight, direct; compare Old Norse ūgegn unreasonable) + -liche -ly; (adj.) un- 1 + obsolete gainly proper, becoming, gracious, Middle English gaynlych ( geyn as above + -lych -ly ); cf. gainly, again
Explanation
Ungainly is the opposite of graceful, convenient, or easy. A clumsy dancer boogies in an ungainly or awkward fashion. Though you see gain in ungainly, the word does not have to do with growing, or getting ahead. Ungainly comes from an Old Norse word meaning "not convenient" or "awkward." If you want to impress your gym teacher or sports coach, first appear ungainly and then surprise her with your great athletic ability. Applying to college can be an ungainly process without an advisor to help.
Vocabulary lists containing ungainly
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe
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Lord of the Flies
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chris Waddle: Ungainly and unpredictable – which made him a difficult man to mark.
From Reuters • Jul. 10, 2018
Ungainly, unattractive, and in general unlike what you’d expect from a commercial product, the rEvolve nevertheless does a whole lot to improve on HTC and Valve’s pioneering VR headset design.
From The Verge • Jul. 10, 2017
Ungainly falls from the pommel horse by two of their more reliable competitors.
From Washington Post • Aug. 6, 2016
Ungainly and desperate for sure, funny perhaps, but much more than just joking around.
From The Guardian • Oct. 12, 2010
Ungainly statue, or villanous daub fell never yet from heaven to smuggle the bread out of capable workmen's mouths.
From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Reade, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
