maladroit

[ mal-uh-droit ]

adjective

1. lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless:

   to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

   Synonyms: gauche, inept, clumsy

maladroit

/ ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by clumsiness; not dexterous
2. tactless and insensitive in behaviour or speech

Derived Forms

• ˌmalaˈdroitness, noun
• ˌmalaˈdroitly, adverb

Other Words From

• mala·droitly adverb
• mala·droitness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit¹

First recorded in 1665–75; from French, Middle French: literally “clumsy”; mal-, adroit

Word History and Origins

Origin of maladroit¹

C17: from French, from mal badly + adroit

Example Sentences

Mitt Romney has received much (deserved) criticism for his maladroit comments on the 9/11 embassy attacks.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, both are rich, socially maladroit, and from Massachusetts.

From The Daily Beast

At Trinity College at the University of Toronto, he was even more socially maladroit.

From The Daily Beast

Truly people here are extraordinarily maladroit in spite of the French wit!

From Project Gutenberg

Pacing slowly in her dark garden, Enid Crofton's pulse quickened at the recollection of those maladroit, hungry kisses.

From Project Gutenberg

Might makes right, often enough in a maladroit fashion, but sometimes it comes as a real blessing.

From Project Gutenberg

They swarmed loud, uncouth about the temple, their heads thickplotting under maladroit silk hats.

From Project Gutenberg

That evening Camille drew Rose aside, and asked for an explanation of her "maladroit."

From Project Gutenberg