古英語のunginlicheから、un-, not, non, gein, straight, againstと語源的には同じ、-liche, 形容詞接尾辞の-lyと語源的には同じ。つまり、まっすぐでない、形が悪い、見苦しい、不格好、不器用。
英語の語源
ungainly (adj.)
1610s, "unfit, improper," from Middle English ungeinliche, from ungein (late 14c.) "inconvenient, disagreeable, troublesome," from un- (1) "not" + gein "kind, helpful; reliable; beneficial; suitable, appropriate; convenient," from Old Norse gegn "straight, direct, helpful," from Proto-Germanic *gagina "against" (see again). Old English had ung?nge "useless, vain."
例文
1. The dog,an ungainly mongrel pup,was loping about the road.
その醜い雑種の子犬は道路を走り回っている。
2.Paul swam in his ungainly way to the side of the pool.
ポールは下手に池の端まで泳いだ。
3.He was a tall, ungainly boy of 18.
彼は背が高くて不器用な18歳の若者です。
4.I thought him terribly ungainly when he danced.
ダンスは不器用極まりないと思います。
5.When the ungainly man had left，he remarked hotly to the messenger.