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

Burnley are awkward opponents and they have got a bit about them.

Read more on BBC

A little organ music, awkward reminiscences, and nothing accomplished.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There is something special about “Train Dreams” even as its built-in modesty makes it feel awkward to lavish it with excess praise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday they came face-to-face for the first time since the comments, resulting in slightly awkward encounter.

Read more on BBC

The trek to the boss’s office, the tense stares across the desk, the awkward mix of praise and criticism—and the potential for a promotion or a pink slip when it is all over.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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