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awkward,clumsy,inelegant,lumbering,uncoordinated,ungraceful
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awkward, graceful, elegant, nimble
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cumbersome,gawky
SAT 2 (Scholastic Assessment Test), Personality and Character Traits, Demeanor and Bearing
ungainly
IPA
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Dictionary definition of ungainly
Lacking grace, elegance, or fluidity in movement, appearance, or design.
"The ungainly giraffe struggled to navigate through the dense forest."
Detailed meaning of ungainly
An ungainly person may be described as uncoordinated, stumbling, or bumbling in their actions, while an ungainly object may be bulky, unwieldy, or difficult to handle or maneuver. Overall, the term "ungainly" connotes a lack of natural or effortless ease in physical or visual aspects, often leading to a sense of awkwardness or discomfort for the observer or participant.
Example sentences containing ungainly
1. The giraffe's long neck can appear ungainly when it bends to drink water.
2. His ungainly dance moves drew laughter from the crowd.
3. The bulky, ungainly backpack made hiking more challenging.
4. The baby elephant's ungainly wobble charmed everyone at the zoo.
5. Her ungainly attempts at ice skating left her with a few bruises.
6. The ungainly sculpture didn't quite fit the elegant art gallery.
History and etymology of ungainly
The adjective 'ungainly' has an etymology that suggests a lack of grace and elegance. It is formed from the prefix 'un-,' denoting negation, and the word 'gainly,' which is derived from the Old English word 'gainlic,' meaning 'fit' or 'convenient.' Originally, 'ungainly' described something that was not fit or convenient, often implying a lack of grace and fluidity. Over time, the term evolved to describe people or things that lacked elegance and finesse in movement, appearance, or design. The etymology of 'ungainly' underscores its historical association with a lack of suitability and elegance, emphasizing the awkward and inelegant qualities that it conveys in describing something or someone as 'ungainly.'
Further usage examples of ungainly
1. Despite his ungainly appearance, he was a graceful swimmer.
2. The robot's ungainly limbs moved awkwardly across the floor.
3. Her ungainly handwriting made it difficult to read the note.
4. The ungainly car struggled to navigate the narrow streets.
5. The bear's ungainly gait belied its surprising agility.
6. The actor's ungainly costume restricted his movements on stage.
7. The ungainly table design made it challenging to dine comfortably.
8. The bird's ungainly landing caused a flurry of feathers.
9. The athlete's ungainly jump still managed to clear the bar.
10. Despite its ungainly appearance, the aircraft was remarkably agile.
11. The teenager's growth spurt left him feeling ungainly and awkward.
12. She tried to hide her ungainly stumble as she tripped on the curb.
13. The ungainly treehouse loomed high in the backyard.
14. The toddler's ungainly attempts at walking were endearing.
15. The ungainly stack of books teetered dangerously on the shelf.
16. Her ungainly attempt at parallel parking left a dent in the bumper.
17. The giant tortoise moved at an ungainly, slow pace.
18. His ungainly outfit made it hard to blend in at the formal event.
19. The ungainly layout of the room left little space for movement.
20. He had an ungainly walk, which made him stand out in a crowd.
21. The ungainly design of the building made it look out of place.
22. Her ungainly movements made her look awkward on the dance floor.
23. The ungainly airplane had a difficult time taking off.
24. He had an ungainly habit of slouching, which made him look unprofessional.
25. The ungainly package was difficult to carry.
26. She had an ungainly posture, which made her look taller than she was.
27. The ungainly robot struggled to complete the task.
28. He had an ungainly gait due to an injury.
29. The ungainly load on the truck made it difficult to drive.
30. She had an ungainly appearance, which made her feel self-conscious.
