What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gawky
Example
He was so gawky that he kept bumping into things. [gawky: adjective]
Example
She felt gawky and out of place at the fancy party. [gawky: adjective]
clumsy
Example
He was so clumsy that he spilled his coffee all over the table. [clumsy: adjective]
Example
She felt clumsy and nervous during her dance performance. [clumsy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clumsy is more commonly used than gawky in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gawky and clumsy?
Both gawky and clumsy are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
