Gangliness

Gangliness refers to the awkwardness or ungainliness in physical movement, posture, or appearance. It often implies a lack of coordination, grace, and a disproportionate or lanky physique that makes movement appear clumsy. This awkwardness can stem from rapid growth spurts, a lack of developed muscle control, or simply the natural awkwardness of adolescence or physical unfamiliarity with one's own body. The term suggests a certain degree of self-consciousness or lack of control, leading to movements that are often unpredictable or out of sync. It is a descriptive word that captures the visible manifestation of a lack of ease and fluidity in how someone carries themselves.

Gangliness meaning with examples

• As a teenager, Michael struggled with gangliness as his limbs grew rapidly. He would often trip over his own feet during basketball games and felt self-conscious about his long arms and legs. His coaches worked with him to develop better coordination through drills and exercises to address this, gradually building his confidence. Although the change wasn’t immediate, he learned to control his body better, helping with speed and agility. This allowed him to play better and gain confidence in his abilities.
• The puppy's gangliness was adorable; her oversized paws and wobbly legs made every clumsy stumble endearing. She would chase her tail and often end up sprawled on the floor. The owners took great care to ensure she didn't trip on things that were within her reach, so they kept the area clean to prevent accidents. Although her clumsiness provided great amusement, they were aware of potential injury issues due to this condition.
• The actor's gangliness in the role of a seasoned warrior seemed incongruous. His movements lacked the practiced ease and powerful grace expected of such a character. The audience could tell that they had selected the wrong actor. It highlighted the difference between skill and acting as he clumsily wielded his weapon. He ended up getting several extra rehearsals with a stunt coordinator to try and work the problem out.
• Despite years of dance training, the athlete retained a certain gangliness when performing in the studio. While he displayed incredible strength and agility on the field, his movements in a more controlled and artistic environment seemed stiff and disjointed. His coaches said that he had to learn to forget the strength and agility that he used on the field. This would help his core training of ballet so that it would assist his professional sport.