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

Their goodwill is awkward, as it must be when an in-group member tries to commiserate with “the other,” but it is, nonetheless, sympathy, which is to say concern.

From The Wall Street Journal

Both socially awkward, Watson approached him sitting alone at orientation and said hello.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then again, Jones said, “Everything this last month has been really awkward.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Judge Francis said Crump appeared to have been someone who was "socially isolated" and "perhaps a little socially awkward", but also came across as "extremely confident and arrogant."

From BBC

Neighbourly tensions often rise during the festive season and, while raising concerns can feel awkward, there are practical and legal ways to deal with disputes.

From BBC

Related Words

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