What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gangly
Example
The gangly teenager struggled to find clothes that fit his long arms and legs. [gangly: adjective]
Example
The giraffe is a gangly animal with a long neck and legs. [gangly: adjective]
Example
The willow tree had gangly branches that swayed in the wind. [gangly: adjective]
ungainly
Example
The elephant was surprisingly ungainly as it tried to navigate through the narrow path. [ungainly: adjective]
Example
The box was so large and ungainly that it took two people to carry it. [ungainly: adjective]
Example
The conversation became ungainly when the topic turned to politics. [ungainly: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ungainly is more commonly used than gangly in everyday language. Ungainly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gangly is less common and refers to a specific physical characteristic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gangly and ungainly?
Both gangly and ungainly are informal words, but ungainly is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
