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Webster 1913 Edition


Ungainly

Un-gain′ly

,
Adj.
[OE.
ungeinliche
, adv., fr.
ungein
inconvenient;
un-
+ Icel.
gegn
ready, serviceable; adv., against, opposite. See
Un-
not, and
Gain
,
Adj.
,
Again
.]
1.
Not gainly; not expert or dexterous; clumsy; awkward; uncouth;
as, an
ungainly
strut in walking
.
His
ungainly
figure and eccentric manners.
Macaulay.
2.
Unsuitable; unprofitable.
[Obs.]
Hammond.

Un-gain′ly

,
adv.
In an ungainly manner.

Webster 1828 Edition


Ungainly

UNGA'INLY

,
Adj.
Not expert or dextrous; clumsy; awkward; uncouth; as an ungainly strut in walking.
[I believe ungain is not used.]

Definition 2024


ungainly

ungainly

English

Adjective

ungainly (comparative ungainlier, superlative ungainliest)

  1. clumsy; lacking grace.
    • Macaulay
      His ungainly figure and eccentric manners.
  2. difficult to move or to manage; unwieldy.
  3. (obsolete) unsuitable; unprofitable
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Hammond to this entry?)

Translations