awkward
Americanadjective
-
lacking skill or dexterity.
- Synonyms:
- inexpert, unhandy, unskillful, inept, clumsy
-
lacking grace or ease in movement.
an awkward gesture;
an awkward dancer.
- Antonyms:
- graceful
-
lacking social graces or manners.
a simple, awkward frontiersman.
- Synonyms:
- unrefined, unpolished, gauche, ill-bred, unmannerly, ill-mannered, oafish
-
not well planned or designed for easy or effective use.
an awkward instrument;
an awkward method.
- Synonyms:
- troublesome, difficult, inconvenient, unmanageable, cumbersome, unwieldy
-
requiring caution; somewhat hazardous.
an awkward turn in the road.
- Synonyms:
- unsafe, risky, dangerous, treacherous, precarious, perilous, chancy
-
hard to deal with; difficult; requiring skill, tact, or the like.
an awkward situation;
an awkward customer.
-
embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace.
an awkward moment.
- Synonyms:
- touchy, ticklish, uncomfortable, difficult, trying, unpleasant
-
Obsolete. untoward; perverse.
adjective
-
lacking dexterity, proficiency, or skill; clumsy; inept
the new recruits were awkward in their exercises
-
ungainly or inelegant in movements or posture
despite a great deal of practice she remained an awkward dancer
-
unwieldy; difficult to use
an awkward implement
-
embarrassing
an awkward moment
-
embarrassed
he felt awkward about leaving
-
difficult to deal with; requiring tact
an awkward situation
an awkward customer
-
deliberately uncooperative or unhelpful
he could help but he is being awkward
-
dangerous or difficult
an awkward ascent of the ridge
-
obsolete perverse
Other Word Forms
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; see origin at off, -ward
Explanation
If you are awkward, chances are you are uncomfortable. You could feel socially awkward, like when you forget the host's name. Or, you may feel physically awkward, like when you trip on your way to the podium. Have you ever felt clumsy and that you had two left feet? That is how it is to feel awkward — literally that you are going in the wrong direction. Awkward is an example of a word literally meaning something and then figuratively meaning something related. Its Middle English roots are awke, meaning "backhanded," and -ward, to "go in the direction of." So, if you are feeling uncomfortable, or clumsy, it's probably because your hands are connected to you the wrong way!
Vocabulary lists containing awkward
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 3
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
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English Words Derived from Old Norse
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because we were so comfortable with each other by that point, the conversation didn’t feel scary or awkward.
From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026
If you feel awkward about asking for a discount, just remember: Your grandmother on Medicare might be paying five or 10 times less for the same blood work or MRI.
From Slate • Apr. 25, 2026
Bournemouth pressed in a strict, aggressive man-to-man fashion and as they followed the winger into awkward positions, O'Reilly burst into the open space.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
Well, I think we can all agree that the whole thing is awkward.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
“There was an awkward moment or two, due to the fact that our offices had a tailor working downstairs, and they could hear her,” said Jamie.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
