From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclumsyclum‧sy /ˈklʌmzi/ ●●○ adjective (comparative clumsier, superlative clumsiest) 1 CLUMSYmoving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc A clumsy waiter spilled wine all over her new skirt. a clumsy attempt to catch the ball► see thesaurus at careless2 CLUMSYa clumsy object is not easy to use and is often large and heavy3 CARELESSa clumsy action or statement is said or done carelessly or badly, and likely to upset someone David made a clumsy attempt to comfort us. —clumsily adverb —clumsiness noun [uncountable]THESAURUSclumsy adjective moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etcShe was very clumsy and was always walking into doors.With clumsy fingers he took out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one.awkward adjective moving in a way that does not seem relaxed or comfortableHer husband always looked a bit awkward when he was dancing.an awkward teenagerungainly adjective moving in a way that is not graceful – used especially about people or things that are bigThe ostrich is rather an ungainly bird.She collapsed into the chair in an ungainly manner.uncoordinated adjective not able to control your movements very well, and therefore not very good at physical activitiesWhen she first starting playing tennis, her movements were slow and uncoordinated.accident-prone adjective often having accidentsI was very accident-prone as a child and was always having to go to hospital.be all fingers and thumbs British English informal, be all thumbs American English informal to be unable to control your fingers very well, so that you cannot do something‘Do you want some help unwrapping that?’ ‘Yes please, I’m all fingers and thumbs today.’
Examples from the Corpus
clumsy• Her big-boned body felt clumsy and she placed the tray on the coffee table with a loud clatter.• His writing is clumsy and unconvincing.• I was tall and clumsy as a child, so I avoided sports.• Dana made a clumsy attempt to catch the ball.• Andrew made a clumsy attempt to kiss her, but she pushed him away.• And I had always felt clumsy because the giving of cash in my own culture is tainted.• The show is a clumsy blend of news and entertainment.• a clumsy camera• When he left, the other actors offered him clumsy commiseration, as to some one who had been bereaved.• a large man with big clumsy hands• You clumsy idiot! Look what you've done to my car.• Fumbling, fingers clumsy in her panic, she dragged at the plastic retaining clips.• It was like watching a clumsy remake of an old movie.• a clumsy, shy thirteen-year-old boy• But I am pretty clumsy so I had better not take up too many other sports.• Writing is downgraded as if it is a clumsy substitute for more efficient means of preserving data and the findings or conclusions.• It was only her thick-handed, clumsy way of helping me, advancing an imaginary project that obsesses her.• I was so shy and clumsy when I was seventeen.• Paula always felt clumsy when she had to serve food to people.clumsy attempt• But of course he had, and my clumsy attempt to avoid detection only served to make the retribution fiercer.• His clumsy attempt to distract her attention was all the warning she needed.• Donna turned as Ryker came at her, avoiding his clumsy attempts to grab her.• Some swine had bashed the offside rear three-quarter in a very clumsy attempt to park behind me.clumsy attempt• But of course he had, and my clumsy attempt to avoid detection only served to make the retribution fiercer.• His clumsy attempt to distract her attention was all the warning she needed.• Donna turned as Ryker came at her, avoiding his clumsy attempts to grab her.• Some swine had bashed the offside rear three-quarter in a very clumsy attempt to park behind me.Origin clumsy (1500-1600) Probably from clumse “too cold to feel anything” ((16-19 centuries)), from a Scandinavian language 