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awkward
[ awk-werd ]
adjective
- lacking skill or dexterity.
Synonyms: inexpert, unhandy, unskillful, inept, clumsy
- lacking grace or ease in movement:
an awkward gesture;
an awkward dancer.
Synonyms: uncoordinated, clumsy, maladroit, gawky, ungainly, graceless
Antonyms: graceful
- 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
- not well planned or designed for easy or effective use:
an awkward instrument;
an awkward method.
Synonyms: unmanageable, troublesome, difficult, inconvenient, cumbersome, unwieldy
- requiring caution; somewhat hazardous:
an awkward turn in the road.
Synonyms: unsafe, risky, dangerous, treacherous, precarious, perilous, chancy
- 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.
Synonyms: touchy, ticklish, uncomfortable, difficult, trying, unpleasant
- Obsolete. untoward; perverse.
awkward
/ ˈɔːkwəd /
adjective
- 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 customer
an awkward situation
- deliberately uncooperative or unhelpful
he could help but he is being awkward
- dangerous or difficult
an awkward ascent of the ridge
- obsolete.perverse
Derived Forms
- ˈawkwardly, adverb
- ˈawkwardness, noun
Other Words From
- awkward·ly adverb
- awkward·ness noun
- un·awkward adjective
- un·awkward·ly adverb
- un·awkward·ness noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of awkward1
Word History and Origins
Origin of awkward1
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".
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.
My awkward, short limbs moved frantically whenever one of his songs came on.
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.
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