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?