Nearby Words
Synonyms
wərdadjective
1.
lacking skill or dexterity; clumsy.
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.
EXPANDrequiring caution; somewhat hazardous; dangerous: 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.
COLLAPSEObsolete. untoward; perverse.
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
Synonyms
1. unskillful, unhandy, inexpert.
1. unskillful, unhandy, inexpert.
Antonyms
1. deft, adroit. 2. graceful.
1. deft, adroit. 2. graceful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Awkward
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
Example Sentences
- Without practiced skills and polished positions, he made the evening more awkward, less solemn.
- The first moments of the meeting were awkward.
- She has, on the stage, an awkward grace she seldom shows anywhere else.
Collins
World English Dictionary
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
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