Awkward dolt, Maria, is clumsy (9)
I believe the answer is:
maladroit
'awkward' is the definition.
('maladroit' can be a synonym of 'awkward')
'dolt maria is clumsy' is the wordplay.
'is clumsy' indicates anagramming the letters.
'dolt'+'maria'='doltmaria'
'doltmaria' is an anagram of 'MALADROIT'.
(Other definitions for maladroit that I've seen before include "Clumsy or bungling, ham-fisted" , "Awkward - unskilful" , "Inept, clumsy" , "Inefficient, clumsy" .)