noun
clumsiness
KLUHM-zee-nuhs
Clumsiness (noun) means a lack of physical grace or coordination. Example: “His clumsiness meant he was always knocking things over.”
noun
1
A lack of physical grace or coordination.
"He dropped them not out of spite, but out of clumsiness."
"His clumsiness meant he was always knocking things over."
"She laughed off her clumsiness after tripping on the rug."
""Pardon my clumsiness," he said to the lady. "I am, unfortunately, quite blind. But," he added, with a smile, to turn off the mishap, "even a blind man must have a house.""
— Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados (1914)
How to use clumsiness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe quality of being clumsy — awkward or uncoordinated.
Common pairings
sheer clumsiness
a moment of clumsiness
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Word forms
- Plural
- clumsinesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ meant he was always knocking things over.
Etymology
Formed from clumsy plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for clumsiness
business
ugliness
laziness
holiness
happiness
craziness
weariness
readiness
emptiness
manliness
dizziness
tardiness
See all rhymes for clumsiness →
Frequently asked questions
What does “clumsiness” mean?
The word “clumsiness” means a lack of physical grace or coordination. In plain terms, the quality of being clumsy — awkward or uncoordinated.
How do you pronounce “clumsiness”?
“Clumsiness” is pronounced KLUHM-zee-nuhs (/ˈklʌm.zi.nəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “clumsiness” in a sentence?
Here is “clumsiness” used in a sentence: “His clumsiness meant he was always knocking things over.”
What part of speech is “clumsiness”?
“Clumsiness” is a noun.
