Schlemiel

Pronunciation: /ʃləˈmiːl/

Definitions of schlemiel

noun a clumsy or inept person

Example Sentences

A1 The schlemiel accidentally spilled his drink at the party.

A2 She always felt like a schlemiel when things didn't go as planned.

B1 The schlemiel in the movie provided comic relief with his clumsy antics.

B2 Despite his best efforts, he couldn't shake off the reputation of being a schlemiel.

C1 The author portrayed the character as a schlemiel who constantly found himself in embarrassing situations.

C2 The schlemiel's bumbling nature added a touch of humor to the otherwise serious storyline.

Examples of schlemiel in a Sentence

formal The schlemiel in the office always seemed to make mistakes that cost the company money.

informal Don't be such a schlemiel and forget your keys at home again.

slang He's such a schlemiel, always tripping over his own feet.

figurative She felt like a schlemiel in the dating world, constantly making awkward mistakes.

Grammatical Forms of schlemiel

• past tense: schlemieled
• plural: schlemiels
• comparative: more schlemiel
• superlative: most schlemiel
• present tense: schlemiels
• future tense: will schlemiel
• perfect tense: have schlemieled
• continuous tense: is schlemieling
• singular: schlemiel
• positive degree: schlemiel
• infinitive: to schlemiel
• gerund: schlemieling
• participle: schlemieled

Origin and Evolution of schlemiel

First Known Use: 1859 year

Language of Origin: Yiddish

Story behind the word: The word 'schlemiel' originates from Yiddish, a language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.

Evolution of the word: Originally, a 'schlemiel' referred to a clumsy, inept person. Over time, the term has come to also imply someone who is socially awkward or chronically unlucky.