clumpish

A clumpish bear tries to climb a small tree.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Clumsy or heavy in movement or appearance: "clumpish" describes someone or something that is awkward, lumbering, or lacking grace, often due to being physically heavy or bulky.
   • Resembling a clump: Having the form or character of a clump — a thick, compact group or mass.

Usage Examples

• (Her heavy, awkward walking style.)
• (The furniture was bulky and ungraceful.)
• (His fingers were thick and clumsy.)

Advanced Usage

• "clumpish behaviour": actions that are socially awkward or lacking finesse.

  • His clumpish behaviour at the formal dinner embarrassed his hosts. (He acted in a clumsy, unrefined manner.)

• "clumpish form": a shape that is bulky, lumpy, or not streamlined.

  • The sculpture had a clumpish form, with rough edges and uneven surfaces. (It appeared heavy and unshapely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Clump (n): a compact group or mass, often of plants, soil, or other materials.

  • A clump of grass grew by the fence. (A thick, bunched group of grass.)

• Clumpy (adj): tending to form or resembling clumps; also used informally for heavy or awkward.

  • The soil was clumpy after the rain. (It formed sticky lumps.)

• Clumpiness (n): the quality of being clumpy or clumpish.

  • The clumpiness of the dough made it hard to roll out. (Its lumpy, uneven texture.)

Synonyms

• Awkward: lacking grace or skill in movement.
• Lumbering: moving in a slow, heavy, and clumsy way.
• Bulky: taking up much space; large and heavy.
• Ungainly: lacking grace; clumsy.

Related Idioms

• (As) clumpish as a bear: very clumsy or heavy in movement.

  • He walked through the shop as clumpish as a bear, knocking over displays. (He was extremely awkward.)

• Clumpish in manner: socially inept or tactless.

  • Her clumpish in manner made her seem rude, though she meant well. (Her awkward social behaviour.)