clumsy
adjective C1
Plain meaning
awkward in movement or badly handled
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means awkward in movement or badly handled, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalHis response sounded clumsy, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a clumsy assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a clumsy responseclumsy behavioura clumsy situation
Watch out
Do not use “very clumsy” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
clumsyness (noun, where natural)clumsyly (adverb, where natural)