unwieldy

/ʌnˈwiːldi/ (bre, ipa) · [ənwˈildi] /ʌnˈwiːldi/ (ame, ipa) · [ənwˈildi] /ˌən-ˈwēl-dē How to pronounce unwieldy (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unwieldy — adjective

  • unwieldypositive
  • more unwieldycomparative
  • most unwieldysuperlative

1. You describe an object as unwieldy when its size, weight, or unusual shape makes

1.形容詞B2
釋義

You describe an object as unwieldy when its size, weight, or unusual shape makes it very hard to hold, carry, or move.

例句

The chef struggled to lift the unwieldy pot of soup onto the counter.

unwieldy + physical object (pot / suitcase / piece of furniture)

A large unwieldy suitcase filled with books made the train journey exhausting.

同義詞
  • cumbersome

    focuses more on being heavy or tiring to carry; slightly more common in everyday speech

  • bulky

    emphasises large size rather than awkward shape; often used for packages

  • awkward

    stronger emphasis on the strange shape making it difficult to hold or carry

反義詞
  • manageable

    easy to handle, carry, or control

  • handy

    conveniently small or well-designed to carry and use

文法句型

unwieldy + noun

be + unwieldy

用法筆記

Frequently used for furniture, large packages, equipment, and luggage. The word focuses on how difficult an object is to control while moving it, not just on its weight.

常見錯誤

❌The old man was too unwieldy to walk up the stairs.
✅The old wooden wardrobe was too unwieldy to fit through the doorway.
💡Unwieldy describes objects that are hard to handle because of size or shape, not people who move slowly or awkwardly.

2. An unwieldy system, organization, or set of rules is so large or badly organized

2.形容詞B2
釋義

An unwieldy system, organization, or set of rules is so large or badly organized that it works slowly or produces poor results.

例句

The company's unwieldy approval process meant that even small changes took months to review.

collocation: unwieldy + system / process / bureaucracy

The school's unwieldy timetable forced students to sit through long gaps between classes.

同義詞
  • cumbersome

    overlaps in both senses; for systems it also suggests slowness and inefficiency

  • inefficient

    focuses on wasting time or resources rather than being hard to control

  • overcomplicated

    emphasises having too many unnecessary rules or steps

  • bloated

    suggests an organization that has grown too large without becoming more effective

反義詞
  • streamlined

    efficient and well-organized, with no unnecessary steps

  • efficient

    working well and producing good results without wasted time or effort

文法句型

unwieldy + noun (system / process / bureaucracy)

become + unwieldy

too unwieldy + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Subject is typically a process, organization, or administrative system with too many rules, steps, or people involved. Common in discussion of government bureaucracy, corporate management, and legal procedures.

常見錯誤

❌The computer program is unwieldy because it has too many bugs.
✅The university's unwieldy registration system meant students had to fill out over twenty forms.
💡Unwieldy for systems focuses on size and complexity, not on technical faults or errors.