loose-jointed

American  

[loos-join-tid] / ˈlusˈdʒɔɪn tɪd /

adjective

1. having or marked by easy, free movement; limber.

2. having loose joints.

3. loosely built or framed.

---

loose-jointed British  

adjective

1. supple and easy in movement

2. loosely built; with ill-fitting joints

---

Other Word Forms

• loose-jointedness noun

Etymology

Origin of loose-jointed

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

This extended monologue, which takes the form of a loose-jointed academic talk, was written expressly for SCR’s artistic director, David Ivers, to perform.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2021

I write, plainly, as a poor golfer, who came to the game late, with too loose-jointed a build, and frazzled eye-hand connections.

From Golf Digest • May 7, 2020

I was gangly and loose-jointed in high school, which made me funny and popular.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2015

The proceedings have little in common with the loose-jointed, readily irreverent atmosphere cultivated by Stewart and Colbert and bear only an incidental relationship to the old school of “humanizing” politicians with a softball deskside chat.

From Slate • May 10, 2015

But when he runs, he looks like a camel—all knobby-kneed and loose-jointed with his neck stretched so far out that his nose is over the goal line five minutes before his shoulders.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg