Pronunciation: [ʌnɡɹˈe͡ɪsfəlɪ] (IPA) 
The word "ungracefully" is spelled with the prefix "un-", which negates the root word "gracefully". The pronunciation is /ʌnˈɡreɪsfəli/. The first two syllables use the short "u" sound /ʌn/, followed by a stressed long "a" sound /ˈɡreɪs/. The final syllable has the suffix "-ly" which is pronounced /li/. This word means to do something in a clumsy or awkward way, opposite to doing it gracefully with ease and elegance.
Ungracefully is an adverb that describes an action, movement, or behavior lacking elegance, finesse, or smoothness. It refers to the absence of grace, which generally denotes beauty, poise, or skillfulness.
When someone performs an action ungracefully, it means they do so in a clumsy, awkward, or inelegant manner. It implies a lack of agility, coordination, or proficiency in executing a motion or carrying out a task. For instance, a person might walk ungracefully by stumbling, tripping, or having an uneven gait. They might attempt to dance ungracefully, displaying heavy and awkward movements devoid of fluidity and rhythm. Similarly, someone could speak ungracefully if they lack the ability to articulate their words smoothly, resulting in hesitations, stammering, or a disjointed delivery.
Furthermore, ungracefully can extend beyond physical movements and encompass social behaviors or actions lacking tact, subtlety, or refinement. An individual may behave ungracefully in social situations by being impolite, insensitive, or exhibiting poor manners. Their interactions might be characterized by clumsiness, lack of poise, or an inability to navigate conversations smoothly.
Overall, the term ungracefully denotes a lack of elegance, coordination, smoothness, or tact in the way an action, movement, or behavior is performed, reflecting a deficiency in displaying finesse, poise, or skill in various aspects of life.
Awkwardly; inelegantly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "ungracefully" is formed by combining the prefix "un-" which means "not" or "lacking", and the root word "gracefully". The root word "gracefully" is formed from the noun "grace", which originated from the Latin word "gratia". In Latin, "gratia" referred to charm, goodwill, or thanks and gradually evolved to denote a graceful manner or elegance in movement. Over time, the word "grace" has entered the English language with a similar meaning. By adding the prefix "un-" to "gracefully", we create "ungracefully", which describes the opposite or lack of grace or elegance in movement.
