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ungainly
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un·gain·ly

adjective \-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
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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

Rhymes with UNGAINLY

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

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