# clumsy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈklʌmzi/ · frequency rank #16,199

## Definitions
1. Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.
2. Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.
3. Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.

## Etymology
Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y. More at clumse.

## Easily confused with
- **cums** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clumsy-vs-cums)
- **clunky** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clumsy-vs-clunky)
- **crummy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clumsy-vs-crummy)
- **clubs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clubs-vs-clumsy)
- **clues** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clues-vs-clumsy)
- **clams** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clams-vs-clumsy)
- **clump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clump-vs-clumsy)
- **chums** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/chums-vs-clumsy)
- **classy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/classy-vs-clumsy)
- **clumps** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clumps-vs-clumsy)
- **clumsily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clumsily-vs-clumsy)

## Common misspellings (10)
`cclumsy`, `cllumsy`, `clmusy`, `clummsy`, `clumssy`, `clumsyy`, `clumys`, `clusmy`, `culmsy`, `lcumsy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/clumsy