unhandy

[ uhn-han-dee ]

adjective

, un·hand·i·er, un·hand·i·est.

1. not skillful in manual work:

   He's unhandy when it comes to fixing things around the house.

   Synonyms: bumbling, inept, awkward, clumsy

2. inconveniently placed or arranged.
3. difficult to handle or use, as tools or objects.

unhandy

/ ʌnˈhændɪ /

adjective

1. not skilful with one's hands; clumsy; awkward
2. inconvenient

Other Words From

• un·handi·ly adverb
• un·handi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unhandy¹

First recorded in 1655–65; un- ¹ + handy

Example Sentences

It seems as if everything on the place was devised to make work as hard, unhandy, and wrong-end-to as possible.'

From Project Gutenberg

They were, however, extraordinarily unhandy with them, and our own cavalry had a very poor opinion of their prowess and dash.

From Project Gutenberg

Tha are dredful unhandy tew cook, yu hav tu bile one eend ov them tu a time, yu kant git them awl into a potash kittle tu onst.

From Project Gutenberg

But, the sides and ends being sewed to the roof made it unhandy to use as a shelter, when shelter was needed on short notice.

From Project Gutenberg

They are rather unhandy to carry about and few trappers want many, yet under certain conditions they are very useful.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amateurish
• helpless
• inadequate
• incapable
• ineffectual
• inefficient
• inept
• inexperienced
• unqualified
• unskilled
• useless