awkward
Use Awkward in a sentence
wərd adjective
1.
lacking skill or dexterity. Synonyms: clumsy, inept; unskillful, unhandy, inexpert. Antonyms: deft, adroit, skillful, dexterous; handy.
2.
3.
lacking social graces or manners: a simple, awkward frontiersman. Synonyms: gauche, unpolished, unrefined; blundering, oafish; ill-mannered, unmannerly, ill-bred. Antonyms: gracious; polite, well-mannered, well-bred; smooth, polished, refined.
4.
not well planned or designed for easy or effective use: an awkward instrument; an awkward method. Synonyms: unwieldy, cumbersome, unmanageable; inconvenient, difficult, troublesome.
5.
requiring caution; somewhat hazardous: an awkward turn in the road. Synonyms: dangerous, risky, unsafe, chancy; perilous, precarious, treacherous.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English, equivalent to awk(e), auk(e) ‘backhanded’, Old English *afoc (< Old Norse ǫfugr ‘turned the wrong way’; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German abuh, Old English afu(h)lic ‘wrong’, off) + -ward -ward
1300–50; Middle English, equivalent to awk(e), auk(e) ‘backhanded’, Old English *afoc (< Old Norse ǫfugr ‘turned the wrong way’; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German abuh, Old English afu(h)lic ‘wrong’, off) + -ward -ward
Related forms
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 Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To awkward
00:10
Awkward
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
awkward (ˈɔːkwəd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 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 |
| [C14 awk, from Old Norse öfugr turned the wrong way round + | |
| 'awkwardly | |
| —adv | |
| 'awkwardness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
If your subject senses you feel awkward or shy about photographing them, they will find it difficult to relax.
This could have been an awkward moment.
She reminded everyone that scientists aren't socially awkward introverts.
Awkward and indefinite in the first place, this system is outworn, and is wholly out of gear with our modern political methods.
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