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View synonyms for awkward

awkward

[awk-werd]

adjective

  1. lacking skill or dexterity.

  2. lacking grace or ease in movement.

    an awkward gesture;

    an awkward dancer.

    Antonyms: graceful
  3. lacking social graces or manners.

    a simple, awkward frontiersman.

  4. not well planned or designed for easy or effective use.

    an awkward instrument;

    an awkward method.

  5. requiring caution; somewhat hazardous.

    an awkward turn in the road.

  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.

  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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • awkwardly adverb
  • awkwardness noun
  • unawkward adjective
  • unawkwardly adverb
  • unawkwardness noun
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of awkward1

C14 awk, from Old Norse öfugr turned the wrong way round + -ward
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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.

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.

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.

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whole new ballgame, aawkward age