ungainfully

English

Etymology

un- +‎ gainful +‎ -ly

Adverb

ungainfully (comparative more ungainfully, superlative most ungainfully)

1. Without being paid; unprofitably.
   • 1883, Sir Frederick Pollock, The Land Laws, page 82:

     In later times this office was assigned by settled usage to the crier of the Court, who in this capacity was called " the common vouchee," and thus cheerfully and, we presume, not ungainfully passed his life, or so much thereof as was covered by the legal terms, in perpetual contempt of the Court of Common Pleas and liability to be fined at the king's discretion.

   • 1965, Ch Umamaheswara Rao, Small Scale Industries: Some Economic Aspects, page 121:

     The social consideration is that the workers who are ungainfully employed create problems of social friction; and the national character of the people suffers in the end.

   • 1985, Robert Kelly, A Transparent Tree, page 33:

     They are allowed to earn money in no way, nor are they permitted to work, even ungainfully (this circumstance is, no doubt, at the root of the greedy hurry of their lives in Jaouedda).

2. Without accomplishing anything; unprofitably.
   • 1965, Robert Bruce Oram, Cargo handling and the modern port, page 126:

     At the end of the day 25 per cent of the working time of the gang and of the expensive machine, has been ungainfully spent.

   • 1972, Occasional Paper - Issues 23-24, page 103:

     It was therefore decided to start an experimental scheme in this particular locality in order to furnish the reclaiming operators with the necessary information and experience lest time, effort and money might be ungainfully spent .

   • 1995, Brij Mohan Toofan, The Kiss of Freedom, page 83:

     A Sekhri girl had hid behind the lofty rocks which had remained unconquered for long, and had watched the British perishing ungainfully without adding any glory to the Empire.

3. In an ungainly manner; awkwardly.
   • 1991, Faces, page 83:

     Life reported that he "never walks fast but lumbers along ungainfully to conserve his energy. He never exercises but is exceptionally strong."

   • 1994, Mary Valentis, Anne Devane, Female Rage: Unlocking Its Secrets, Claiming Its Power, page 79:

     she looks in the mirror and sees herself as unattractive and ungainfully overweight.

   • 1997, Applications in Basic Marketing, page 21:

     But lndiglo test models were also ungainfully big.

   • 2009, Lum Kit- Wye, In 5 Easy Steps:

     Fanny struggled ungainfully to her feet, clutching her protesting back as she got up.