unhandy

The new toolbox is unhandy to carry up the stairs.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking in dexterity or skill: "unhandy" describes a person who is not skilled or adept at using their hands to perform tasks, especially manual or practical ones.
   • Inconvenient or difficult to use: "unhandy" can also refer to an object or tool that is awkward, cumbersome, or not easy to handle.

Usage Examples

• Lacking in dexterity or skill:

  • He is very unhandy with tools; he can barely hammer a nail straight. (He lacks manual skill.)
  • She felt unhandy when trying to knit a scarf, as her fingers kept dropping the needles. (She was clumsy at the task.)

• Inconvenient or difficult to use:

  • This old-fashioned can opener is unhandy; it always slips off the lid. (The tool is awkward to operate.)
  • The kitchen layout was unhandy, with the sink far from the stove. (The arrangement was inconvenient.)

Advanced Usage

• "unhandy with something": to be clumsy or inept when using a particular tool or performing a specific task.

  • He is unhandy with a sewing machine, often breaking the thread. (He lacks skill with that device.)

• "unhandy for something": to be inconvenient or unsuitable for a particular purpose.

  • The large suitcase was unhandy for the narrow train aisle. (It was awkward to maneuver.)

Variants and Related Words

• Unhandily (adverb): in an unhandy manner; clumsily or inconveniently.

  • He unhandily dropped the plate while washing it. (He did it clumsily.)

• Unhandiness (noun): the quality of being unhandy; clumsiness or inconvenience.

  • The unhandiness of the old toolbox made repairs frustrating. (The awkwardness of the tool.)

Synonyms

• Clumsy: lacking skill or grace in movement or handling.

  • The clumsy child knocked over the vase. (Similar to unhandy in describing a person.)

• Awkward: causing difficulty or inconvenience; not easy to use.

  • The awkward handle made the pot hard to lift. (Similar to unhandy for an object.)

• Inept: lacking skill or ability.

  • He was inept at fixing cars. (Similar to unhandy for a person.)

Antonyms

• Handy: skillful with the hands or convenient to use.

  • She is handy with a hammer. (Opposite of unhandy for a person.)

• Deft: quick and skillful in movement.

  • The deft carpenter carved the wood easily. (Opposite of unhandy for skill.)

Related Idioms

• All thumbs: clumsy or awkward with one's hands; a synonym for unhandy.

  • When I try to fix a watch, I'm all thumbs. (I am very clumsy.)

• Have two left feet: to be clumsy in movement, often used for dancing, but can extend to manual tasks.

  • He has two left feet when it comes to assembling furniture. (He is very unhandy.)