clumsiness

/ˈklʌmzinəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklʌmzinəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkləm-zē-nəs/ (ame, mw)

clumsiness — noun

1. the quality of moving or handling objects without smooth, steady control, so tha

1.名詞B2
釋義

the quality of moving or handling objects without smooth, steady control, so that you tend to bump into things, drop them, or knock them over.

例句

Renata laughed at her own clumsiness after she spilled coffee on the new rug.

common possessive pattern: someone's clumsiness

The waiter's clumsiness sent three wine glasses crashing to the marble floor.

possessive + clumsiness as cause of an event

同義詞
  • awkwardness

    wider — covers both physical and social awkwardness

  • ungainliness

    more formal; emphasises unattractive or heavy movement

反義詞
  • grace

    emphasises smooth, elegant movement

  • agility

    stresses quick, controlled movement, especially in sport

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person; often paired with possessive pronouns (her clumsiness, his clumsiness). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on physical movement and accidents; sense 2 focuses on lack of skill or tact in what someone does or says.

常見錯誤

❌He has many clumsinesses.
✅He has shown a lot of clumsiness lately.
💡clumsiness is uncountable; do not use a plural form.

2. a way of doing or saying something that shows no skill, care, or sensitivity, so

2.名詞B2
釋義

a way of doing or saying something that shows no skill, care, or sensitivity, so that the result may offend or hurt other people.

例句

Yael apologised for the clumsiness of her words after the funeral.

collocation: the clumsiness of [noun]

The minister's apology was ruined by the clumsiness of his second statement.

the clumsiness of someone's words/speech

同義詞
  • tactlessness

    narrower — emphasises insensitivity to others' feelings

  • awkwardness

    wider — can also mean social discomfort, not just lack of skill

反義詞
  • tact

    skill in handling sensitive matters without causing offence

  • finesse

    more formal; emphasises elegant skill in a delicate situation

用法筆記

Often used in the pattern 'the clumsiness of [his/her words / the speech / the attempt]'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the issue is poor judgement, tact, or skill in what is said or done — not physical movement.

常見錯誤

❌I hate my clumsiness when I dance.
✅I hate my clumsiness in social situations.
💡for physical movement, use sense 1; sense 2 covers tactless words or actions.