ungracefully

ungracefully — 副詞

1. in a way that is not smooth, controlled, or physically attractive — for example,

1.副詞C1
釋義

笨拙地

動作不優美不流暢地

in a way that is not smooth, controlled, or physically attractive — for example, moving with stiff or uncoordinated actions that make the person or thing look awkward.

例句

Harper tripped and fell ungracefully into the pile of fallen leaves.

Harper 絆了一跤，笨拙地跌進那堆落葉中。

adverb of manner modifying 'fell'

The puppy scrambled ungracefully across the kitchen floor, its paws sliding everywhere.

那隻小狗笨拙地在廚房地板上爬行，爪子到處打滑。

同義詞
  • clumsily

    more common, suggests knocking things over or losing balance rather than just lacking smoothness

  • awkwardly

    emphasizes lack of ease or naturalness, often from nervousness or inexperience

  • gracelessly

    closest synonym, though slightly more critical in tone

  • stiffly

    specifically suggests rigidity and lack of fluid motion

反義詞
  • gracefully

    with smooth, controlled, and attractive movement

  • smoothly

    without bumps, jerks, or interruptions

文法句型

modifies a verb of motion or physical position

用法筆記

Typically modifies verbs of physical movement or position change (fall, rise, drop, scramble, wobble). Describes observable awkwardness in motion, not the person's general character.

常見錯誤

❌The dancer moved ungracefully across the stage.
✅The dancer moved stiffly across the stage.
💡professional dancers may lack fluidity, but 'ungracefully' implies basic lack of control, which is too strong for a trained performer.
❌She walked ungracefully to the bus stop.
✅She trudged ungracefully through the deep snow to the bus stop.
💡ordinary walking without awkward conditions sounds unnatural with 'ungracefully'; the context needs to show why the movement lacked grace.

2. in a way that is not polite, tactful, or pleasant in social situations — for exa

2.副詞C1
釋義

失禮地

態度不客氣、不禮貌地

in a way that is not polite, tactful, or pleasant in social situations — for example, refusing an invitation without thanks, dismissing help, or complaining loudly in public.

例句

Quinn refused the dinner invitation ungracefully, without a single word of thanks.

Quinn 失禮地拒絕了晚餐邀請，連一句感謝都沒有。

adverb of manner modifying 'refused' for impolite refusal

Marta dismissed her colleague's offer of help ungracefully, without a word of thanks.

Marta 失禮地拒絕了同事的幫助，連一句感謝都沒有。

同義詞
  • rudely

    more direct and common; 'rudely' describes intent to offend, while 'ungracefully' suggests lack of social polish

  • impolitely

    more formal; focuses on violation of social rules

  • tactlessly

    emphasizes insensitivity to others' feelings rather than outright rudeness

反義詞

文法句型

modifies a verb of social interaction

用法筆記

Describes the manner of a social action (refusing, dismissing, complaining, handling criticism) as impolite or lacking tact. The focus is on the observable behavior, not the speaker's intention.

常見錯誤

❌He ungracefully asked the waiter for water.
✅He asked for water without saying please.
💡'ungracefully' is used for refusals or criticisms, not for simple neutral requests.