How to pronounce clumsy
Say it like KLUHM-zee. Clumsy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce clumsy. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KLUHM
- zee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Clumsy pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KLUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- zeeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of clumsy
American and British speakers say clumsy in essentially the same way: /ˈklʌmzi/ in the US and /ˈklʌmzi/ in the UK.
British respelling: KLUHM-zee.
What does clumsy mean?
- Awkward, lacking coordination, not graceful, not dextrous.“He's very clumsy. I wouldn't trust him with carrying the dishes.”
- Not elegant or well-planned, lacking tact or subtlety.“It is a clumsy solution, but it might work for now.”
- Awkward or inefficient in use or construction, difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape.
- A clumsy person.
Where does clumsy come from?
Possibly from an alteration of clumsed (“benumbed”) or from clumse (“a stupid fellow; lout”) + -y.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying clumsy
How do you pronounce clumsy?
Say KLUHM-zee. The American pronunciation is /ˈklʌmzi/. In British English it is /ˈklʌmzi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in clumsy?
Clumsy has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KLUHM). Broken into parts: KLUHM · zee.
Do Americans and Brits say clumsy the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈklʌmzi/ and the British form is /ˈklʌmzi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.