CultureAugust 25, 2026

clunkiness

KLUNG-kee-nus

Definition

The quality of being awkward, heavy, or lacking in smoothness, flow, or grace.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'clunk,' an imitative (onomatopoeic) formation likely emerging in the early 20th century to describe the sound of a heavy, hollow object striking another.

In the news

The critic uses the term to describe how some of the film’s thematic dialogue feels forced or unnatural, which disrupts the immersion into the ancient setting.

“The Odyssey” Film Is a Spectacle That Stalls and Snoozes on Its Emotional Shore

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