Word
ungraceful
Phoneticsun·grace·ful
US/ənˈɡɹeɪsfəl/
UK/ʌnɡɹˈeɪsfəl/
Definition
adj. moving in a way that is not smooth or elegant. You use this to describe someone who is clumsy or lacks balance.
adj. lacking elegance, smoothness, or coordination in movement or form. Often used to describe physical movements that appear awkward or clumsy.
Examples
“He made an ungraceful landing on the grass.”
“The dancer's ungraceful stumble during the final act was a surprising departure from her usual precision.”
“The transition from a command economy to a market-based one was ungraceful, marked by sudden price spikes and administrative confusion.”
Examples
simple
“He made an ungraceful landing on the grass.”
contextual
“The dancer's ungraceful stumble during the final act was a surprising departure from her usual precision.”
complex
“The transition from a command economy to a market-based one was ungraceful, marked by sudden price spikes and administrative confusion.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ungraceful” in context.
Verb
01. appear ungraceful
“The heron can appear ungraceful when it takes off from water.”
verb + adj
02. look ungraceful
“The puppy looked ungraceful as it tried to climb the stairs.”
verb + adj
03. seem ungraceful
“His movements seemed ungraceful compared to the other skaters.”
verb + adj
04. ungraceful fall
“She took an ungraceful fall while learning to roller-skate.”
adj + noun
Adjective
05. quite ungraceful
“Her landing was quite ungraceful after the long jump.”
adv + adj
06. rather ungraceful
“His first dive was rather ungraceful and earned low scores.”
adv + adj
07. surprisingly ungraceful
“The usually elegant dancer looked surprisingly ungraceful today.”
adv + adj
Noun
08. ungraceful gait
“Injury gave the runner a heavy, ungraceful gait for weeks.”
adj + noun
09. a rather ungraceful dive
“He did a rather ungraceful dive that splashed everyone nearby.”
10. look ungraceful in motion
“Newborn foals often look ungraceful in motion for the first days.”
11. make an ungraceful landing
“The small plane made an ungraceful landing in the strong wind.”
12. move in an ungraceful way
“After his ankle injury, he moved in an ungraceful way for weeks.”
Usage
Typically used to describe physical movement, but can metaphorically describe social interactions or transitions.
Etymology
From un- + graceful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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