Basic Details
Word: Ungainly
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Awkward or clumsy in movement or appearance.
Synonyms: Awkward, clumsy, unwieldy
Antonyms: Graceful, nimble, elegant
Idioms and Phrases
- Look like a fish out of water: This phrase describes someone who feels uncomfortable or out of place. Example: "At the dance class, he looked like a fish out of water, moving ungainly to the music."
- Dancing like a tree: Used to describe someone who is stiff or awkward in movement. Example: "She was dancing like a tree at the party, moving ungainly with every step."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The ungainly puppy stumbled over its own feet as it tried to chase after the ball.
Example 2: His ungainly attempts at gymnastics made everyone laugh, but he kept trying.
Example 3: The giraffe's ungainly legs made it look funny as it tried to run.
Fun Fact
The word "ungainly" comes from the Old English word "gain," which means "to obtain" or "to come into possession of." The prefix "un-" adds a meaning of "not", so "ungainly" means "not able to obtain grace or skill in movement".
Famous Quote
"The ungainly journey often leads to the most rewarding destinations." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "ungainly" mean?
a) Beautiful
b) Awkward or clumsy
c) Quick
d) Smart
Answer: b) Awkward or clumsy
2. Which of these is a synonym of "ungainly"?
a) Graceful
b) Clumsy
c) Elegant
d) Nimble
Answer: b) Clumsy
3. What is the opposite of "ungainly"?
a) Awkward
b) Unwieldy
c) Graceful
d) Clumsy
Answer: c) Graceful
4. Which sentence uses "ungainly" correctly?
a) She danced ungainly at the performance, impressing everyone with her skill.
b) The ungainly bird seemed to hop awkwardly from branch to branch.
c) He spoke ungainly in front of the crowd, captivating the audience.
d) The ungainly painting was praised for its beauty.
Answer: b) The ungainly bird seemed to hop awkwardly from branch to branch.
5. Which idiom means someone does not fit in?
a) Dancing like a tree
b) Kick the bucket
c) Look like a fish out of water
d) As quiet as a mouse
Answer: c) Look like a fish out of water
