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Ungainly Definition & Meaning

ungainly
adjective
  1. lacking grace in movement or posture; "a gawky lad with long ungainly legs"; "clumsy fingers"; "what an ungainly creature a giraffe is"; "heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair"
  2. difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape; "an awkward bundle to carry"; "a load of bunglesome paraphernalia"; "clumsy wooden shoes"; "the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl"

Usage tips for "ungainly"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "ungainly" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for ungainly to find words that pair well.

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Frequently asked questions

What does ungainly mean?
lacking grace in movement or posture; "a gawky lad with long ungainly legs"; "clumsy fingers"; "what an ungainly creature a giraffe is"; "heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair" difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape; "an awkward bundle to carry"; "a load of bunglesome paraphernalia"; "clumsy wooden shoes"; "the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl"
What part of speech is ungainly?
Ungainly is an adjective.
How many definitions does ungainly have?
Ungainly has 2 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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