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: 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.

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 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

Other Word Forms

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

The launch of the review comes at an awkward time, given that the militaries of the U.S. and Australia have promoted how closely they are working together as concerns about China rise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Though awkward at first, these steps built trust and helped us reconnect, not just as co-parents, but as partners.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I was bullied. I was awkward. I wasn’t particularly sociable. I just didn’t fit in at all.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What made that just a smidge awkward this time around is that Bradley has played so surprisingly well over the last year that he had to consider whether one of those selections should be himself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His hand placement could also be awkward, which gave him trouble hauling in some throws.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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