ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›U›ungainly
ISEE/SSAThard
ungainly
awkward, clumsy, or lacking grace in movement
Synonyms
- awkward
- clumsy
- lumbering
Antonyms
ungainly in a sentence
The ungainly colt stumbled across the muddy field.
His ungainly stride made the narrow staircase difficult to climb.
Where it comes from
From un- and obsolete gainly, meaning 'graceful or useful.'
Memory hook
UN-GAIN-LY: unable to gain balance, the clumsy figure moves awkwardly.
Read it in context
- The Moraine Calendar Nature