English Explanatory Dictionary

ungainly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Clumsy; lacking grace.
  2. Gangling
  3. Difficult to move or to manage; unwieldy.
  4. Unsuitable; unprofitable.
noun
  1. An ungainly person or thing.
adv
  1. In an ungainly or unbecoming manner; improperly; undeservedly, unduly; unsuitably.

Pronunciation

/ʌnˈɡeɪnli/ /anˈɡæɪnli/ en-au-ungainly.ogg

Word forms

ungainly ungainlier more ungainly ungainliest most ungainly ungainlie ungainlies

Etymology

From un- (“not”) + gainly (“graceful; becoming; proper, suitable; gracious, kindly”) (from gain (“dexterous; convenient, easy, handy; suitable”), from Old Norse gegn (“fit, serviceable; direct, straight; honest; kindly”) + -ly (suffix forming adjectives from nouns)). Compare dialectal Norwegian Nynorsk ugjegnleg (“stubborn; troublesome”).

Synonyms

gawky

Derived words

ungainliness
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