clunky

American  

[kluhng-kee] / ˈklʌŋ ki /

adjective

Informal.

clunkier, clunkiest

1. awkwardly heavy or clumsy.

   clunky metal jewelry; clunky shoes.

---

clunky British  

/ ˈklʌŋkɪ /

adjective

1. making a clunking noise

2. informal ponderously ungraceful or unsophisticated

   clunky boots

3. awkward or unsophisticated

   then you guffaw at clunky dialogue

---

Etymology

Origin of clunky

First recorded in 1965–70; clunk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the Web3-crypto hype cycle that pushed clunky, glitchy headsets into every boardroom in America also brought NFTs to the fore—which has also been a complete bust.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

“Our early trials of ChatGPT’s update are still rather clunky and not ideal. Consumers aren’t yet seeing a materially different path to purchase.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

"MP3 players were clunky, storage was limited, and managing your music library felt like a chore," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“The Forsytes” is a clunky visual feast, but it’s also a new hot dish in an expanding buffet of eat-the-rich takes that materializes what one imagines a serialized adaptation of Gentlemen’s Quarterly would look like.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

If you want to avoid the masculine but hate the clunky his or her alternative, don’t resort to the plural.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• bulky
• burdensome
• embarrassing
• heavy
• inconvenient
• ponderous
• tiresome
• unwieldy