Ungainliness

Ungainliness is the quality or state of being awkward, clumsy, and lacking in grace or ease of movement or form. It suggests a lack of coordination, often leading to a tendency to stumble, make awkward gestures, or generally appear out of place in terms of physical comportment. The term emphasizes a certain awkwardness, a lack of poise, or a physical presence that is not refined or smoothly executed, especially in terms of bodily movement. It can also be applied metaphorically to describe things, situations, or concepts that lack elegance or smooth functionality.

Ungainliness meaning with examples

• The adolescent boy's ungainliness was evident as he stumbled over his own feet while attempting to dance, much to the amusement of his friends. His arms and legs seemed to flail in uncoordinated patterns. His first attempt to coordinate these limbs would lead to further pratfalls as he tried to regain balance, yet again.
• The old, rickety bridge, with its rusted supports and uneven planks, displayed a certain ungainliness that made crossing it a nerve-wracking experience. Each step felt precarious, as though it might crumble under the weight. The bridge was a testament to age and a lack of proper maintenance.
• Despite her initial training, the puppy exhibited a comical ungainliness as it chased after the ball, tripping over its paws and tumbling in playful fashion. This display of stumbling and confusion was very fun to watch, but she did eventually learn how to properly fetch the ball.
• The ungainliness of the early prototype robot, with its jerky movements and clunky design, stood in stark contrast to the sleek, fluid robots of the future. The machine appeared to be struggling to carry out even the simplest tasks that other machines would be able to accomplish with ease.
• The poet struggled to describe the ungainliness of the monster's form in a way that would not diminish the ferocity, or the sheer power that would strike terror into the heart of its prey. He made the beast terrifying, which took away some of the impact of the monster's awkward shape.