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.

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Other Word Forms

• klutziness noun

Etymology

Origin of klutzy

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

Example Sentences

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

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

Mr. Orben even helped manage a good-natured jab at “Saturday Night Live” cast member Chevy Chase, who made a running gag of playing Ford — in reality a gifted athlete — as klutzy and goofy.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2023

It wasn’t her fault that all this happened—though that klutzy moment seemed to set this whole thing in motion.

From "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds