ungainly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
-
lacking grace when moving
-
difficult to move or use; unwieldy
-
rare crude or coarse
adverb
Other Word Forms
- ungainliness noun
Etymology
Origin of ungainly
1150–1200; (adv.) Middle English ungeinliche, equivalent to un- un- 1 + later Middle English geyn straight, well-disposed, handy (< Old Norse gegn straight, direct; compare Old Norse ūgegn unreasonable) + -liche -ly; (adj.) un- 1 + obsolete gainly proper, becoming, gracious, Middle English gaynlych ( geyn as above + -lych -ly ); cf. gainly, again
Explanation
Ungainly is the opposite of graceful, convenient, or easy. A clumsy dancer boogies in an ungainly or awkward fashion. Though you see gain in ungainly, the word does not have to do with growing, or getting ahead. Ungainly comes from an Old Norse word meaning "not convenient" or "awkward." If you want to impress your gym teacher or sports coach, first appear ungainly and then surprise her with your great athletic ability. Applying to college can be an ungainly process without an advisor to help.
Vocabulary lists containing ungainly
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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.
Moreover, at the point where it should be winding down, it instead stacks up an ungainly pile of endings; I would have cut maybe 20 minutes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
The new parody is lurching and ungainly, though: Stitching parts of various things together seems to come easier to mad scientists than filmmakers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
Everyone agrees it looks ungainly, but it's the least worst solution in the circumstances.
From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025
When her rival, Poot’s Thea, arrives underdressed, Hedda forces her into a hideous frock with fussy bows and an ungainly skirt.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025
She turned back and caught a glimpse of the towering creature taking a slow, ungainly step in her direction.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
