Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MALADROIT

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"MALADROIT" Meaning: Adroit people or things are very skilled or resourceful in a clever way. So, maladroit people or things are clumsy and awkward. They aren't clever, they aren't skilled, and they aren't resourceful. Pronunciation: mal uh DROIT Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “maladroit manners.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "Their manners were maladroit.”) Other forms: maladroitly, maladroitness How to use it: Talk about maladroit people (and maladroit groups of people,) a maladroit personality (or a maladroit tendency,) a maladroit mind, a maladroit manner (or maladroit manners,) a maladroit style, maladroit comments and questions, maladroit writing, maladroit advertising, and so on. You can also talk about things being done in a maladroit way: "her maladroit handling of the accusations," "their maladroit management of the staff." Occasionally you might specify what kind of maladroitness you're talking about: "He's socially maladroit," "She's always so verbally maladroit." Like we see sometimes with other adjectives, you might use this word as if it's a noun and call someone "a maladroit" (meaning "a maladroit person.") Here's an example: "Any maladroit can assemble this furniture; it's foolproof." It makes no sense to spend time editing fifty chapters of awkward dialogue when the entire storyline is maladroit. Let's fix that first. I've left one too many maladroit voicemails, which is sort of why I avoid leaving them at all. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "maladroit" means when you can explain it without saying "bumbling" or "inept." Think of a skill you just barely have, or a task you can only sort of accomplish, and fill in the blanks: "If you don't mind a/my maladroit (particular kind of aspect or outcome,) then sure, I can _____." Example: "If you don't mind my maladroit pronunciation and atrocious comprehension of what I'm even saying, then sure, I can read Korean text aloud." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing New Word Order! It's a card game that I recently created; it involves figuring out the order in which certain words and phrases entered our language. I'll give you several words and/or phrases, and you'll use your knowledge of history, slang, technology, popular culture, fashion, psychology, etc. to put them into chronological order. I'll post the right answer to each question on the following day. If you like this game, you can download and print it to play with your family and friends. (It's free.) Yesterday's task was to place "dreadlocks" on this timeline:  Ecosphere, 1953 Clip art, 1971 Steampunk, 1990 Answer: Ecosphere, 1953 Dreadlocks, 1960 Clip art, 1971 Steampunk, 1990 Today, your new timeline looks like this: Acetaminophen, 1957 Mani-pedi, 1972 Meh, 1992 Try to decide where this term belongs on that timeline: "bar-hopping." Special preview of next month's game: In December, we'll be sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about words, phrases, and quotes. Click here or on the logo below if you want to go ahead and check them out! A Point Well Made: Aristotle: “Wit is well-bred insolence.” 1. One opposite of MALADROIT is A. TACTFUL B. TRUTHFUL C. JOYFUL 2. Once again, the maladroit customer service department _____. A. knowingly provided false information about the safety recall in order to reduce the number of returns B. "escalated" the issue, which we assume means they will lose track of it C. had to transfer us to a supervisor who could solve the issue Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B Exploring the archives: The habitually maladroit person may be a bit farouche and is likely to commit gaucheries left and right. (Could you explain the slight differences among these three terms?) Speaking of left and right, isn't it interesting how "adroit" is related to the word "right" (as in "right-handed") while "gauche" and "maladroit" are related to "left" (as in "left-handed")? I mention this with apologies to those of you left-handed folks who are, of course, highly skilled and very intelligent.