Definition of "ungainly" in English

adjective

1. Clumsy; lacking grace.

   • His body, though thin, looked oversized and ungainly, his limbs poorly knit together; he appeared to conquer his tendency to awkwardness by making only the smallest, most deliberate of movements.

2. Difficult to move or to manage; unwieldy.

3. (obsolete) Unsuitable; unprofitable.

noun

1. (rare) An ungainly person or thing.

adverb

1. (obsolete) In an ungainly or unbecoming manner; improperly; undeservedly, unduly; unsuitably.