clunky
clunky — adjective
1. too large, heavy, or roughly made, so that an object looks unattractive or is di
too large, heavy, or roughly made, so that an object looks unattractive or is difficult to handle or wear comfortably
Aiko's leather boots were sturdy but clunky, making every step feel like a heavy thud on the wooden floor.
collocation: clunky boots / clunky shoes
The old cash register in the corner shop was a clunky metal machine with large buttons that often got stuck.
Priya loved the design of the antique telephone, though its clunky plastic body took up half her desk.
Theo returned the hiking boots because they were too clunky to clip into the narrow ski bindings.
Yara replaced the clunky kitchen scales with a slim digital model that fit neatly inside the drawer.
- cumbersome
more formal; emphasises difficulty of carrying or handling
- bulky
focuses on large size rather than ugliness
- heavy-handed
describes design that lacks subtlety or elegance
- sleek
smooth and elegant in shape
- streamlined
designed with a clean, efficient shape
用法筆記
Typically describes physical objects such as furniture, shoes, tools, or equipment. Do not use for people — use 'clumsy' instead when referring to a person's movement.
常見錯誤
2. badly written, designed, or performed, so that something feels unnatural, lacks
badly written, designed, or performed, so that something feels unnatural, lacks flow, or is difficult to follow or use
Leila found the film's dialogue clunky and unnatural, as if the actors had never seen the script before.
collocation: clunky dialogue
The website had a clunky payment system that asked users to type in the same details twice without any warning.
collocation: clunky [software/system]
Ravi's first draft of the report was clunky, with long sentences that jumped between ideas too quickly.
Hana found the old photo-editing software clunky and frustrating, so she switched to a faster, cleaner app instead.
Kofi's dance moves were a bit clunky at first, but he improved after watching the instructor.
用法筆記
Often used for writing, dialogue, software interfaces, or performances. The focus is on lack of smoothness, natural flow, or logical progression. Can describe temporary effort (a first draft) or a permanent flaw (badly designed software).
常見錯誤
3. using old technology or old-fashioned parts that make a device or system work sl
using old technology or old-fashioned parts that make a device or system work slowly, feel heavy, or perform poorly compared to modern alternatives
Nadia's clunky laptop took nearly five minutes to open a text document, so she saved up for a newer model.
collocation: clunky laptop / clunky computer
The company's clunky booking system relied on paper forms and fax machines, causing delays of several days.
Diego's clunky old car struggled to climb the steep hill, its engine making loud rattling noises along the way.
Tomás refused to upgrade his clunky mobile phone, insisting it still worked fine for calls and text messages.
The airport's clunky check-in kiosks ran an old operating system that crashed every few hours without warning.
- outdated
focuses on being no longer current; less about physical heaviness
- antiquated
more formal; suggests something is very old and no longer useful
- old-fashioned
broader; can refer to style, design, or technology
- modern
using the latest technology or design
- streamlined
efficient and up-to-date in design or performance
用法筆記
Focuses on slow performance caused by outdated design or technology, rather than appearance. Contrast with sense 1 (SOLID), which describes how something looks; here the emphasis is on how it functions.