klutz

From Yiddish קלאָץ‎ (klots, “wooden beam”), cognate with German Klotz (“block, lump”). Doublet of cleat.

• IPA^(key): /klʌts/

• Audio (US)

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  Rhymes: -ʌts

klutz (plural klutzes)

1. (US, derogatory) A clumsy or stupid person.
   • "Mel, back home we'd call you a klutz."
     Melissa: "Use a lot of Yiddish back in Texas, do you?"

     — Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra.

   • "Out of [one abortion doctor's] first six months of work, there are nine malpractice suits ... After it was apparent the guy was a klutz, they kept using him, and trying to cover for him, because they couldn't find another provider."

     — Dr. Robert Crist, abortion doctor, St. Petersburg Times, June 3, 1990

• klutzhood
• klutzish
• klutzy