lumbering
adjective C2
Plain meaning
moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe moving in a slow, heavy, awkward way, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded lumbering, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a lumbering assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a lumbering responselumbering behavioura lumbering situation
Watch out
Do not use “very lumbering” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
lumberingness (noun, where natural)lumberingly (adverb, where natural)