clumsiness

[ kluhm-zee-nis ]
See synonyms for clumsiness on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of clumsiness

1
First recorded in 1650–60; clumsy + -ness

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use clumsiness in a sentence

  • But in other directions the Englishman has certain clumsinesses of his own.

    The American Language | Henry L. Mencken
  • The book is not even marred by Mrs. Eddy's peculiar specialty—lumbering clumsinesses of speech.

    Christian Science | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
  • Wobblings and heart-breaking clumsinesses of the drone-ships.

    Space Tug | Murray Leinster
  • Timon's clumsinesses had merely served to exasperate her dumb rage.

    Ancient Manners | Pierre Louys
  • Even my clumsinesses are my joy,” he said—“my woodcuts, my stumbling on the pipe.

    Stevensoniana | Various