awkward
lacking skill or dexterity.
lacking grace or ease in movement: an awkward gesture;an awkward dancer.
lacking social graces or manners: a simple, awkward frontiersman.
not well planned or designed for easy or effective use: an awkward instrument;an awkward method.
requiring caution; somewhat hazardous: an awkward turn in the road.
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.
Obsolete. untoward; perverse.
Origin of awkward
1Other words for awkward
| 1 | clumsy, inept; unskillful, unhandy, inexpert |
| 2 | uncoordinated, graceless, ungainly; gawky; maladroit; clumsy |
| 3 | gauche, unpolished, unrefined; blundering, oafish; ill-mannered, unmannerly, ill-bred |
| 4 | unwieldy, cumbersome, unmanageable; inconvenient, difficult, troublesome |
| 5 | dangerous, risky, unsafe, chancy; perilous, precarious, treacherous |
| 7 | unpleasant, trying, difficult; uncomfortable, ticklish, touchy |
Opposites for awkward
Other words from awkward
- awk·ward·ly, adverb
- awk·ward·ness, noun
- un·awk·ward, adjective
- un·awk·ward·ly, adverb
- un·awk·ward·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use awkward in a sentence
You might even wonder at the whole concept of the news conference minuet after the same awkward questions and the same strained answers.
Once obvious and thrilling, three college football coaching hires have lost their luster | Chuck Culpepper | November 30, 2020 | Washington PostFor starters, you really need several of them to actually warm up a group of people, and it’s a bit awkward to congregate around a hot pole.
Gift Guide: How to turn your outdoor space into a year-round living room | Lee Clifford | November 27, 2020 | FortuneKeeping your contact information organized will speed up the preparation process and will help you avoid awkward situations like sending an invitation twice, or forgetting to do a follow-up with them.
Simple guide to creating an expert roundup post that drives website traffic | Ivan Ambrocio | November 26, 2020 | Search Engine WatchAlthough there was nothing awkward about this shoot-and-sprint method of travel, I didn’t find it an addictive fun loop either.
‘The Pathless’: Less than the sum of its parts | Christopher Byrd | November 23, 2020 | Washington PostJessie’s own son attends the school and Slater still calls her “mama,” so yes, it is awkward.
The new ‘Saved by the Bell’ has a big advantage over other reboots: It’s really good | David Betancourt | November 23, 2020 | Washington Post
Ever wonder how words like "twerk" and "baller" find themselves falling awkwardly from the mouths of morning show hosts?
Even Anderson Cooper, who Fitzgibbon once awkwardly introduced himself to at an airport, knows the publication.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West awkwardly embrace in color-coordinated pastel suits for their re-imagined Vogue cover.
They stood awkwardly, looking at him and then looking around the kitchen.
Jatu bows her head awkwardly to ensure her scarf covers the scarred side of her face.
Side by side with this terrifying discovery was the certain fact that his awkwardly built craft would gain little by maneuvering.
The Red Year | Louis Tracy(A little awkwardly) Darling one, I wonder if you'd mind—just at first—being introduced as my niece.
First Plays | A. A. Milne"Tell him to call," she said to Tim, who delivered her message rather awkwardly, as if expecting a rebuff.
The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes"Go long with you, Andy Rawlinson," she cried as the youth lingered rather awkwardly in the doorway.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee HopeAll the old frozen woes seemed to melt in her, and she murmured awkwardly, looking away from him: "Oh, I'll wait."
Summer | Edith Wharton
British Dictionary definitions for awkward
/ (ˈɔːkwəd) /
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
Origin of awkward
1Derived forms of awkward
- awkwardly, adverb
- awkwardness, noun
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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