1 awkward | Definition of awkward
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awkward

adjective
awk·​ward | \ ˈȯ-kwÉ™rd How to pronounce awkward (audio) \

Definition of awkward

1a : lacking dexterity or skill (as in the use of hands) I'm awkward with a needle and thread.
b : showing the result of a lack of expertness an awkward attempt awkward pictures
2a : lacking ease or grace (as of movement or expression) awkward writing
b : lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts : ungainly an awkward design
3a : lacking social grace and assurance an awkward newcomer
b : causing embarrassment an awkward moment
4 : not easy to handle or deal with : requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care an awkward load an awkward diplomatic situation
5 obsolete : perverse
6 archaic : unfavorable, adverse
Other Words from awkward Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about awkward

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Other Words from awkward

awkwardly adverb
awkwardness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for awkward

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct). awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact. periods of awkward silence clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill. a clumsy mechanic maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations. a maladroit politician inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy. a hopelessly inept defense attorney gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding. felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Examples of awkward in a Sentence

I was electrified by what I learned in college. Still socially awkward, I had the bad habit of stopping strangers in the street to pour my heart out about the latest marvel I had learned. — Jaron Lanier, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005 Greene must have known that such men would not spill the beans about his irregular life or ask awkward questions, though Burgess famously teased him for being … a poseur, and was banished. — Paul Theroux, New York Times Book Review, 17 Oct. 2004 On the ground, vultures are hunched and awkward bundles of feathers, but in the air, where I watch them during much of the day, they are magnificent graceful soarers. — Words From the Land, Stephen Trimble, editor, 1988 She is awkward at dancing. He had large feet and his walk was awkward and ungainly. The story contained some awkward writing. She is an awkward writer. The machine is very awkward to operate. I often find myself in awkward situations. He was put in the awkward position of having to write the memo. There was an awkward pause in the conversation. He feels awkward with strangers.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 But the field hockey match sat tied at 0–0 entering the second overtime, leading to an awkward interaction as noon approached. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Kent State Ends Field Hockey Match in Second Overtime to Start Football Game," 7 Sep. 2019 Trans people can suddenly pass through airport security, checkout lines and job interviews without awkward encounters, including questions about their genitalia. — Dan Stahl, NBC News, "Making a name for yourself: For trans people, it's 'life-changing'," 6 Sep. 2019 Expressing emotions in a way that was not socially awkward took her a while to learn. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Disney’s ‘Mermaid’ helped woman with autism become part of our world," 6 Sep. 2019 The awkward speech ended a day filled with more Conservative resignations. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN, "Boris Johnson launches non-election campaign with awkward, rambling speech," 5 Sep. 2019 The tale of awkward romance began two years ago when Billie went on a date with someone named Henry Whitford, Seventeen reports. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Billie Eilish Fans Flooded the Instagram of the Guy She Shared a Bad First Kiss With," 4 Sep. 2019 Despite all of this, however, his awkward superhero career does have one big highlight: his absolutely ridiculous relationship with the Eternal known as Sersi. — Wired, "Who Is the Black Knight and Why Is He in the Eternals Movie?," 4 Sep. 2019 However, and unfortunately, this does seem personal, and quite awkward. — Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, "Ask Amy: My ‘work wife’ is getting married, and I’m hurt by her snub," 31 Aug. 2019 And then there's the issue of the game's outdoor scenes suffering from an insane number of invisible walls and awkward geometry blockades. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Gears of War 5 hands-on: A new blockbuster for the game-subscription era," 30 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'awkward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of awkward

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 5

History and Etymology for awkward

Middle English awkeward in the wrong direction, from awke turned the wrong way, from Old Norse Ç«fugr; akin to Old High German abuh turned the wrong way

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More Definitions for awkward

awkward

adjective
How to pronounce awkward (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of awkward

: not graceful
: lacking skill
: difficult to use or handle

See the full definition for awkward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

awkward

adjective
awk·​ward | \ ˈȯ-kwÉ™rd How to pronounce awkward (audio) \

Kids Definition of awkward

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