clumsiness

American  

[kluhm-zee-nis] / ˈklʌm zi nɪs /

noun

1. awkwardness or lack of skill or grace in movement or action.

   In spite of their large size and reputed clumsiness, bears are fleet-footed.

2. 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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Etymology

Origin of clumsiness

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

Example Sentences

She spilled Coke on her sari and figured her clumsiness would doom the engagement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

Some of this clumsiness is simply the endearing choreography of learning something new.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2025

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

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2024

There may have been no malice in his clash, but clumsiness carries a high price in modern rugby and avoiding paying is a skill in itself.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

Every time Jam hurt herself around the house, Bitter shook her head ruefully and just said that Aloe’s clumsiness had to have ended up somewhere.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi