ungainly

un·gain·ly

adj \-ˈgān-lē\

Definition of UNGAINLY

1

a : lacking in smoothness or dexterity : clumsy <ungainly movements> b : hard to handle : unwieldy <an ungainly contraption>

2

: having an awkward appearance <a large ungainly bird>

— un·gain·li·ness noun

Examples of UNGAINLY

1. He was tall and ungainly.
2. <getting the ungainly couch up the stairs was a real chore>

Origin of UNGAINLY

obsolete gain direct, from Middle English gayn, geyn, from Old English gēn, from Old Norse gegn, from gegn, preposition, against; akin to Old English gēan- against — more at again

First Known Use: 1611

Related to UNGAINLY

Synonyms: awkward, bunglesome, clumsy, clunky, cranky, cumbrous, ponderous, cumbersome, unhandy, unwieldy

Antonyms: handy

Related Words: uncontrollable, unmanageable; bulky, dinosaurian, dinosauric, elephantine, heavy, hulking, massive; impracticable, impractical

Near Antonyms: functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, useful

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with UNGAINLY

germanely, humanely, inanely, insanely, mundanely, profanely, urbanely