ungainliness
/ʌn'geinlinis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of being ungainly: The condition of having an awkward, clumsy, or ungraceful appearance or manner of movement.
- Inelegance in movement or posture: A lack of grace, coordination, or poise in the way one carries oneself or moves.
Usage
- Ungainliness is an abstract noun used to describe a characteristic or overall quality of a person, animal, or sometimes an object. It focuses on the lack of physical grace and elegance.
- It is typically used in more formal or descriptive writing and speech.
Examples
- The ungainliness of the newborn foal was endearing as it struggled to stand on its long, wobbly legs.
- Despite his strength, his ungainliness on the dance floor made him reluctant to join in.
- The critic noted the ungainliness of the robot's movements, comparing it to a toddler learning to walk.
Advanced Usage
- "with ungainliness": Used to describe an action performed in an awkward manner.
- He rose from the chair with ungainliness, knocking over the side table.
- "sheer/pure ungainliness": Emphasizes the complete and utter lack of grace.
- The vehicle was functional but chosen for its durability, not its sheer ungainliness.
Variants and Related Words
- Ungainly (adj): Awkward, clumsy, or ungraceful.
- The ungainly bird finally managed to take flight.
- Gainly (adj): (Archaic) Graceful or well-proportioned. This is the rare, positive root from which "ungainly" is formed.
Synonyms
- Awkwardness: Lack of grace or ease in movement.
- Clumsiness: The quality of being awkward in movement or handling things.
- Gracelessness: Lacking elegance or beauty of movement.
- Inelegance: The state of not being graceful or stylish.
Antonyms
- Grace: Smooth, controlled, and aesthetically pleasing movement.
- Elegance: Refined grace and style in appearance or movement.
- Agility: The ability to move quickly and easily.
- Poise: Graceful and elegant bearing in a person.
Noun
- the carriage of someone whose movements and posture are extremely ungainly and inelegant