awkward

[ awk-werd ]

adjective

1. lacking skill or dexterity.

   Synonyms: inexpert, unhandy, unskillful, inept, clumsy

   Antonyms: handy, dexterous, skillful, adroit, deft

2. lacking grace or ease in movement:

   an awkward gesture;

   an awkward dancer.

   Synonyms: uncoordinated, clumsy, maladroit, gawky, ungainly, graceless

   Antonyms: graceful

3. lacking social graces or manners:

   a simple, awkward frontiersman.

   Synonyms: unpolished, unrefined, gauche, ill-bred, unmannerly, ill-mannered, oafish

   Antonyms: refined, polished, smooth, well-bred, well-mannered, polite, gracious

4. not well planned or designed for easy or effective use:

   an awkward instrument;

   an awkward method.

   Synonyms: unmanageable, troublesome, difficult, inconvenient, cumbersome, unwieldy

5. requiring caution; somewhat hazardous:

   an awkward turn in the road.

   Synonyms: unsafe, risky, dangerous, treacherous, precarious, perilous, chancy

6. hard to deal with; difficult; requiring skill, tact, or the like:

   an awkward situation;

   an awkward customer.

7. embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace:

   an awkward moment.

   Synonyms: touchy, ticklish, uncomfortable, difficult, trying, unpleasant

8. Obsolete. untoward; perverse.

awkward

/ ˈɔːkwəd /

adjective

1. lacking dexterity, proficiency, or skill; clumsy; inept

   the new recruits were awkward in their exercises

2. ungainly or inelegant in movements or posture

   despite a great deal of practice she remained an awkward dancer

3. unwieldy; difficult to use

   an awkward implement

4. embarrassing

   an awkward moment

5. embarrassed

   he felt awkward about leaving

6. difficult to deal with; requiring tact

   an awkward customer

   an awkward situation

7. deliberately uncooperative or unhelpful

   he could help but he is being awkward

8. dangerous or difficult

   an awkward ascent of the ridge

9. obsolete.
   perverse

Derived Forms

• ˈawkwardly, adverb
• ˈawkwardness, noun

Other Words From

• awkward·ly adverb
• awkward·ness noun
• un·awkward adjective
• un·awkward·ly adverb
• un·awkward·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of awkward¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, equivalent to awk(e), auk(e) “backhanded,” (unattested) Old English afoc (from Old Norse ǫfugr “turned the wrong way, backwards”; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German abuh “wrong, bad,” Old English afu(h)lic “perverse”) + -ward suffix denoting direction; off, -ward

Word History and Origins

Origin of awkward¹

C14 awk, from Old Norse öfugr turned the wrong way round + -ward

Example Sentences

“Suddenly, instead of being an awkward teenager, she just looks incredibly, magnificently gorgeous.”

From Los Angeles Times

And how awkward could it be if he finds himself on the losing side of the argument?

From BBC

He said Woodward was a socially awkward young man who suffered for years with undiagnosed autism and felt a “starvation for human connection” exploited by the extremist group.

From Los Angeles Times

There was no rushing attack and a couple of snaps from center put the quarterbacks in awkward positions.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet those three days of awkward testimony, and a 775-page witness statement, will still provide plenty of food for thought for Sir Wyn as he prepares his report.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicate
• difficult
• embarrassed
• inconvenient
• painful
• ticklish
• troublesome
• uncomfortable
• unpleasant