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Synonyms

klutzy

American  
[kluht-see] / ˈklʌt si /

adjective

Slang.
klutzier, klutziest
  1. clumsy; awkward.

    If you weren't so klutzy you wouldn't have dropped it.

  2. unwieldy; bulky or awkward.

    a klutzy pair of boots.

  3. inept or thoughtless; boneheaded.

    a klutzy remark.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of klutzy

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; klutz + -y 1

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.

Today’s humanoid robots may be klutzy and prohibitively expensive, but another quarter of a century of research will transform them into essential home assistants, says Brendan Englot, director of the Stevens Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

But the beat Hudson gets exactly right comes in a scene where you’re certain this klutzy melodrama is going to force her to sob.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

She’s the everywoman, a picture of klutzy mishaps of the heart that looks more like a mirror than a photograph.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2025

“On the plus side, my fall hit all the newspapers so I made your final show even more memorable. Come for the music, stay for the klutzy fall.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 18, 2023

Whatever the case, Leo had trouble seeing him as the same klutzy dude who’d once iguanaed his way out of Chinese handcuffs.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

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