unco-ordinated

A toddler takes unco-ordinated steps across the living room floor.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking physical coordination: "unco-ordinated" describes a person or movement that is clumsy, awkward, or unable to move different parts of the body smoothly together.
   • Not properly organized or harmonized: "unco-ordinated" can also refer to actions, plans, or systems that are not effectively combined or synchronized, resulting in disorder or inefficiency.

Usage Examples

• (Lacking physical coordination in movement.)
• (Not properly organized or harmonized.)

Advanced Usage

• "Unco-ordinated effort": a project or activity where participants fail to work together effectively.

  • The unco-ordinated effort of the volunteers led to delays and confusion. (The lack of synchronization caused problems.)

• "Unco-ordinated movements": physical actions that are jerky, imprecise, or out of rhythm.

  • His unco-ordinated movements on the dance floor made him stand out awkwardly. (His movements lacked smoothness and control.)

Variants and Related Words

• Co-ordinate (verb): to bring different elements into a harmonious or efficient relationship.
  • The manager must co-ordinate the team's activities. (Organize them to work together.)
• Co-ordination (noun): the act of organizing or the ability to control body movements smoothly.
  • Good co-ordination is essential for playing tennis. (The ability to move different body parts together.)
• Unco-ordinatedly (adverb): in an unco-ordinated manner.
  • He moved unco-ordinatedly across the room. (Clumsily or awkwardly.)

Synonyms

• Clumsy: lacking skill or grace in movement.
• Awkward: causing difficulty or discomfort; not smooth.
• Disjointed: lacking coherence or connection; not flowing smoothly.
• Disorganized: not arranged in a logical or efficient way.

Antonyms

• Co-ordinated: well-organized or physically graceful.
• Smooth: having an even, regular motion or flow.
• Harmonious: forming a pleasing or consistent whole.

Related Idioms

• All thumbs: to be clumsy or inept with one's hands.

  • He is all thumbs when it comes to fixing things — completely unco-ordinated. (Very clumsy.)

• Out of step: not in agreement or harmony with others.

  • The unco-ordinated dancers were completely out of step with the music. (Not moving rhythmically together.)