Simple Definition of clumsy

from our Learner's Dictionary

clumsy

adjective

clumsier; clumsiest
1
: moving or doing things in a very awkward way and tending to drop or break things
I'm sorry about spilling your wine—that was very clumsy of me.
I have very clumsy hands and tend to drop things.
He is very clumsy. = He is a very clumsy person.
2
: badly or awkwardly made or done
She made a clumsy attempt at a joke.
3
: hard to use : awkward to handle
a clumsy tool

Cite this Entry

“Clumsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/clumsy. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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