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View synonyms for

awkward

[ awk-werd ]

adjective

  1. lacking skill or dexterity.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms: , , , ,

  2. lacking grace or ease in movement:

    an awkward gesture;

    an awkward dancer.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  3. lacking social graces or manners:

    a simple, awkward frontiersman.

    Synonyms: , , , , , ,

    Antonyms: , , , , , ,

  4. not well planned or designed for easy or effective use:

    an awkward instrument;

    an awkward method.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  5. requiring caution; somewhat hazardous:

    an awkward turn in the road.

    Synonyms: , , , , , ,

  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: , , , , ,

  8. Obsolete. untoward; perverse.


awkward

/ ˈɔːə /

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

  • ˈɰɲ, adverb
  • ˈɰɲԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ɰw· adverb
  • ɰw·Ա noun
  • ܲ·ɰw adjective
  • un·ɰw· adverb
  • un·ɰw·Ա 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 ǫڳܲ “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 öڳܲ turned the wrong way round + -ward
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Autistic people have the same hopes, dreams and yes, the same awkward dating moments as anyone else," Dani Bowman, one of the television show's star's said to US media.

From

"It's obviously awkward and embarrassing on a personal front. Particularly it doesn't help if you live in a castle - you feel a bit like the odd one out."

From

Just some awkward ones about being back this week.

From

The humor comes off like a wallflower at a party who is racing with so many awkward thoughts that when it’s finally time to speak, they blurt out something rude.

From

Pitching coach Mark Prior said Wednesday that Kershaw “turned a page” in the last 10 days, complimenting his performance in Oklahoma City, noting the awkward swings the lefty forced on his offspeed offerings.

From

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whole new ballgame, aawkward age