Maladroit

Maladroit describes someone who is clumsy, awkward, or lacking in skill when performing a task or in social interactions. It suggests a lack of grace and dexterity, often leading to blunders and social faux pas. The term can apply to physical actions, such as dropping things, or to verbal and social conduct, where someone might say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time, causing embarrassment or offense. The clumsiness implied by 'maladroit' is often unintentional and stems from a lack of natural talent or experience.

Maladroit meaning with examples

• He was notoriously Maladroit with technology. He would often accidentally delete important files or misconfigure settings, much to the frustration of his colleagues. Despite multiple tutorials, he struggled to master the simplest software functions, earning him the nickname 'Crash-and-Burn Brad' around the office.
• Her attempt to join the lively conversation was maladroit; she blurted out an irrelevant anecdote that completely halted the momentum, leaving an awkward silence. She was known for unintentionally saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, causing frequent social gaffes that made her hesitate when interacting.
• The waiter's service was, to put it mildly, maladroit. He tripped over a chair, spilled a drink on a customer, and then served the wrong dish to the wrong table. It was an unforgettable, and unfortunate, evening for all involved, especially the harried server and the disgruntled customers.
• Despite his good intentions, the aspiring dancer’s performance felt maladroit. His movements were stiff and uncoordinated, and he frequently stumbled, making the graceful routine appear clumsy. His lack of practice was evident in the awkwardness of his posture and in the hesitant execution of each step.