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Spell Bee Word: clumsily


Basic Details

Word: Clumsily

Part of Speech: Adverb

Meaning: In an awkward, careless way that makes you bump into or drop things.

Synonyms: awkwardly

Antonyms: gracefully, skilfully, neatly

How to Spell Clumsily

Syllables: clum - si - ly

Tricky part: The y at the end of clumsy changes to i before ly. Clumsyly is wrong, and the s is never a z.

Watch out for: clumsyly, clumsly, clumzily

Memory tip: Clumsy trips over its own y: the y falls over and becomes i before ly, just as happy becomes happily.

Usage Examples

Example 1: The puppy ran clumsily across the slippery floor.

Example 2: I clumsily knocked my water bottle off the desk.

Example 3: The baby elephant climbed clumsily out of the river.

Fun Fact

Clumsy comes from an old word, clumse, meaning to be stiff or numb with cold - and cold fingers really do drop things.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word: clumsily

a) carelessly
b) noisily
c) gracefully
d) awkwardly

Show answer

c) gracefully. Gracefully means moving smoothly and with skill.

Word Cookie

Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:

cl_ms_ly

a) u, i
b) o, i
c) a, i
d) u, y

Show answer

a) u, i. Clumsy changes its y to i when ly is added.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) clumzily
b) accidentally
c) hurriedly
d) awkwardly

Show answer

a) clumzily. Clumsy is spelt with an s, even though you hear a z.

Mingle-Mangle

Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:

sullycim

a) clumsily
b) carelessly
c) clumsiness
d) musically

Show answer

a) clumsily. Musically has an a and clumsiness is longer; these eight letters make clumsily.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. A person who moves clumsily is likely to ____.

a) win a dance contest
b) walk very gracefully
c) sit perfectly still
d) trip or drop things

Show answer

d) trip or drop things

2. Clumsily is made from which adjective?

a) clumsy
b) climb
c) clump
d) calm

Show answer

a) clumsy

Associated Words

distinctiveterriblydevoutcosmicpilgrimage
laxativepanicprojectionbutcherdistinct

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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