ungainly Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite lacking grace in movement or posture
    clumsy; gawky; unwieldy; clunky.
    • 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. adjective satellite difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
    clumsy; bunglesome; awkward.
    • an awkward bundle to carry
    • a load of bunglesome paraphernalia
    • clumsy wooden shoes
    • the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl

WordNet

Un*gain"ly adjective
Etymology
OE. ungeinliche, adv., fr. ungein inconvenient; un- + Icel. gegn ready, serviceable; adv., against, opposite. See Un- not, and Gain, a., Again.
Definitions
  1. Not gainly; not expert or dexterous; clumsy; awkward; uncouth; as, an ungainly strut in walking.
    His ungainly figure and eccentric manners. Macaulay.
  2. Unsuitable; unprofitable. Obs. Hammond.
Un*gain"ly adverb
Definitions
  1. In an ungainly manner.

Webster 1913