Clumsiness is the tendency to be awkward in your movements, often bumping into things, dropping objects, or tripping over your own feet. A clumsy person might knock over their water glass at dinner, stumble going up stairs, or accidentally step on someone's toes while dancing.

Everyone experiences clumsiness sometimes, especially during growth spurts when your body changes faster than your brain can adjust to its new dimensions. You might suddenly find yourself banging your elbows on doorframes or misjudging how much space you need to squeeze past furniture. Athletes can be clumsy off the field, and graceful dancers might be surprisingly clumsy in everyday situations.

Clumsiness isn't the same as carelessness. A clumsy person is usually trying to be careful, but their body doesn't always cooperate. The word can describe physical awkwardness (“She felt clumsy wearing ice skates for the first time”) or social awkwardness (“His clumsy attempt at a joke made everyone feel uncomfortable”).

Some people grow out of childhood clumsiness as they develop better coordination. Others remain a bit clumsy their whole lives and simply learn to laugh it off, move more slowly in crowded spaces, and keep breakable things safely out of reach.