Main Entry:

un·gain·ly

Pronunciation:

\-ˈgān-lē\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

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

Date:

1611

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