Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking skill or grace; clumsy; awkward: Describes a person, action, or thing that is not dexterous, tactful, or adept. It implies a lack of physical coordination, social grace, or mental agility, often resulting in inefficiency or unintended consequences.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: Describes clumsy physical actions.

  • His maladroit handling of the fragile vase led to it slipping from his grasp.
  • The waiter's maladroit attempt to pour the wine resulted in a stain on the tablecloth.

• Figurative Use: Describes a lack of tact, skill, or finesse in non-physical contexts like speech, writing, or strategy.

  • The diplomat's maladroit comments worsened the tense situation.
  • The report was a maladroit summary of the complex issue, missing key points.

Advanced Usage

• "maladroit at": Used to specify the area in which someone is clumsy or unskilled.
  • She is surprisingly maladroit at using basic computer software.
• "maladroit in": Similar to "maladroit at," often used before a noun phrase.
  • He was maladroit in his dealings with the press, often causing misunderstandings.

Variants and Related Words

• Maladroitness (noun): The state or quality of being maladroit; clumsiness.
  • The maladroitness of his apology only made things worse.

Synonyms

• Clumsy: Lacking grace or skill in movement or performance.
• Awkward: Causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience.
• Inept: Having or showing no skill; incompetent.
• Gauche: Lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward.
• Bumbling: Acting in a confused or inept way.

Antonyms

• Adroit: Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
• Dexterous: Demonstrating neat skill, especially with the hands.
• Graceful: Having or showing grace or elegance.
• Skillful: Having or showing skill.
• Tactful: Having or showing tact; careful not to offend.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• All thumbs: Very clumsy.
  • When it comes to sewing, I'm all thumbs. (This idiom is a more informal synonym for being maladroit with one's hands.)
• Put one's foot in it: To say or do something tactless or embarrassing.
  • He really put his foot in it by asking about her ex-husband. (This idiom relates to the social aspect of being maladroit.)

Adjective

1. not adroit
   • a maladroit movement of his hand caused the car to swerve
   • a maladroit translation
   • maladroit propaganda