Clumsy means awkward in movement or handling things, often bumping into objects, dropping things, or tripping over your own feet. A clumsy person might knock over a glass of milk while reaching for the salt, or stumble on flat ground for no obvious reason.

Everyone feels clumsy sometimes, especially during growth spurts when your arms and legs suddenly seem longer than you remember. You might feel clumsy learning a new skill like juggling or ice skating, when your body hasn't yet figured out the unfamiliar movements.

The word can describe physical awkwardness, like a clumsy dancer who steps on their partner's toes, or it can describe how someone handles a situation. A clumsy apology might make things worse instead of better, like saying “I'm sorry you got upset” instead of taking real responsibility. A clumsy attempt at fixing something might create more problems than it solves.

Being clumsy isn't the same as being careless. Clumsy people often try hard, but their movements just don't cooperate. The opposite of clumsy is graceful or coordinated. With practice and patience, many clumsy movements become smooth and natural.