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View synonyms for awkward

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: uncoordinated, clumsy, maladroit, gawky, ungainly, graceless

    Antonyms: graceful

  3. lacking social graces or manners:

    a simple, awkward frontiersman.

    Synonyms: unpolished, unrefined, 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: unmanageable, troublesome, difficult, inconvenient, 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 customer

    an awkward situation

  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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Derived Forms

  • ˈawkwardly, adverb
  • ˈawkwardness, noun
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Other Words From

  • awkward·ly adverb
  • awkward·ness noun
  • un·awkward adjective
  • un·awkward·ly adverb
  • un·awkward·ness 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

"I was the only black person there in a class which was completely white," said Bowen, who found hearing the racist language in the book repeated in lessons "really awkward" and "confusing".

From BBC

The BBC has chatted with experts about potentially awkward moments you might face over the next few days, so you can try to avoid them.

From BBC

My awkward, short limbs moved frantically whenever one of his songs came on.

From Salon

Who among us hasn’t faced the awkward silence of a gift that falls flat?

Dyche's Everton side are not tearing up any trees but they showed in the draw at Arsenal how resolute they are - they are awkward and difficult to break down.

From BBC

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