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English Dictionary

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 awkward awkward /ˈɔkwɝd/

adjective

  1. () Causing inconvenience  ( awkward )
    causing inconvenience
     They arrived at an awkward time
    they arrived at an awkward time
  2. () Lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance  ( awkward )
    lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance
     An awkward dancer
    an awkward dancer
     An awkward gesture
    an awkward gesture
     Too awkward with a needle to make her own clothes
    too awkward with a needle to make her own clothes
     His clumsy fingers produced an awkward knot
    his clumsy fingers produced an awkward knot
  3. () Difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape  ( bunglesome , clumsy , ungainly , awkward )
    difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
     An awkward bundle to carry
    an awkward bundle to carry
     A load of bunglesome paraphernalia
    a load of bunglesome paraphernalia
     Clumsy wooden shoes
    clumsy wooden shoes
     The cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl
    the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl
  4. Socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner  ( awkward , ill at ease , uneasy )
    socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner
     Awkward and reserved at parties
    awkward and reserved at parties
     Ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know
    ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know
     Was always uneasy with strangers
    was always uneasy with strangers
  5. Hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment  ( awkward , sticky , unenviable , embarrassing )
    hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
     Awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion
    awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion
     An awkward pause followed his remark
    an awkward pause followed his remark
     A sticky question
    a sticky question
     In the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign
    in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign
  6. Not elegant or graceful in expression  ( awkward , cumbersome , ill-chosen , clumsy , inapt , inept )
    not elegant or graceful in expression
     An awkward prose style
    an awkward prose style
     A clumsy apology
    a clumsy apology
     His cumbersome writing style
    his cumbersome writing style
     If the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?
    if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?