maladroit

American  

[mal-uh-droit] / ˌmæl əˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

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

   to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

   Synonyms:

   gauche, inept, clumsy

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maladroit British  

/ ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by clumsiness; not dexterous

2. tactless and insensitive in behaviour or speech

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Other Word Forms

• maladroitly adverb
• maladroitness noun

Etymology

Origin of maladroit

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

Explanation

If you are clumsy, you are maladroit. But the word can mean all kinds of clumsy. Trip over your words? You are verbally maladroit. Stumble in social situations? You're socially maladroit. When someone is adroit, they are graceful and nimble; they show a lot of dexterity. Maladroit is the opposite of that. It means clumsy, but with a hint of overall incompetence. If someone calls you maladroit, or says that you are a maladroit, they're not being the least bit nice. They mean that you've bungled something up with your fumbling.

Example Sentences

The original's famously maladroit "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," with its adversaries whose faces were painted white and black on opposite sides, is kindly remembered as well-intentioned and poorly executed.

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2023

It’s “Groundhog Day” in Denver with the Broncos’ maladroit offense unable to score and its stellar defense incapable of closing out opponents.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2022

Even as her voice deepens and her posture straightens out, Hulu’s Elizabeth Holmes looks consistently awkward and maladroit.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2022

Pierce was followed by Buchanan, whose maladroit administration set the stage for the Civil War.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2021

The first problem is Keegan’s maladroit use of negation.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker