awkward

American  

[awk-werd] / ˈɔk wərd /

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:

   clumsy, maladroit, gawky, ungainly, graceless, uncoordinated

   Antonyms:

   graceful

3. lacking social graces or manners.

   a simple, awkward frontiersman.

   Synonyms:

   unrefined, unpolished, 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:

   troublesome, difficult, inconvenient, unmanageable, 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.

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awkward British  

/ 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 situation

   an awkward customer

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

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Other Word Forms

• awkwardly adverb
• awkwardness noun
• unawkward adjective
• unawkwardly adverb
• unawkwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of awkward

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

Example Sentences

The reason: Many viewers have interpreted Kempczinski’s tiny bite of the Big Arch, and his awkward praise of the 1,057-calorie burger, as apparent distaste.

From MarketWatch

Bringing Keller and Knight onstage somewhat sweetened the awkward position in which the show placed Storrie, but it doesn’t entirely ameliorate the White House’s intrusion into both hockey teams’ Olympic glory.

From Salon

Then awkward questions started arising about how far Britain’s current military capabilities extend—or, more to the point, don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal

After one CEO looked awkward on social media, millions including his competitor pounced.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was with her new mates as usual, and so I hung around on the edge of the group, feeling awkward, while they all said their goodbyes.

From Literature

Related Words

• annoying
• cumbersome
• dangerous
• inconvenient
• perilous
• risky
• troublesome
• uncomfortable
• unwieldy