awkwardawk‧ward /ˈɔːkwəd $ ˈɒːkwərd/ ●●○ S3 adjective 
I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions. There was an awkward moment when she didn’t know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek. an awkward silence A laugh can help people over an awkward situation. Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do).► see thesaurus at embarrassed2not relaxed or comfortable: She liked to dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her. Geoff looked uneasy and awkward. Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.3difficult to do, use, or deal with: It’ll be awkward getting cars in and out. The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage. A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space. She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.► see thesaurus at difficult4not convenient: I’m sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won’t keep you a minute.5an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful SYN difficultawkward about The staff wanted to go home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late. an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)—awkwardly adverb: ‘I’m very sorry about your sister,’ he said awkwardly. Vera smiled awkwardly.—awkwardness noun [uncountable]: He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.
WORD ORIGINawkward
Origin:
1500-1600 awk ‘turned the wrong way’ (15-17 centuries) (from Old Norse öfugr) + -wardEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- an awkward silence
- an awkward teenager
- Bud turned round and gave an awkward wave out of the car window.
- Carrie laughed out loud, and there was an awkward silence.
- Do you have to be so awkward about everything?
- For one awkward moment I thought I had said something terribly wrong.
- Getting in and out of the water is awkward when you're wearing flippers.
- He's at an age when kids start asking awkward questions - like 'Where do babies come from?'
- I'm sorry, have I called at an awkward time?
- I didn't know anyone at the party, and I felt really awkward at first.
- It was really awkward, because she and Rachel don't get along.
- Seals are awkward on land, but graceful in the water.
- She felt awkward in her high-heeled shoes.
- the awkward wording of the letter
- The camera is awkward to use.
- If Jack had been at all concerned that his impulsive gesture would result in an awkward silence he need not have worried.
- She may appear stiff and perhaps awkward.
- The Department can be very awkward at times.
- This, with his stupid loyalty and his awkward maleness, she found touching.
- Whilst the others joked, drank and flirted, they would sit in awkward seriousness.
THESAURUS
feeling uncomfortable or nervous and worrying about what people think of you, for example because you have made a silly mistake, or because you have to talk or sing in public: · I was really embarrassed when I arrived at the party an hour early.· There’s no need to be embarrassed – you’ve got a lovely voice.
embarrassed about your body or the way you look or talk: · Paul had always been self-conscious about his big feet.
unable to relax because you are embarrassed and not sure what to say or do: · There was a long silence and everyone at the table looked uncomfortable.
feeling embarrassed because you are in a situation in which it is difficult to behave naturally: · Teenagers often feel awkward in formal social situations.· There were some awkward moments when neither of us knew what to say to each other.
slightly embarrassed because you know that you have done something silly or because you feel a little guilty: · Nigel came in late looking sheepish and apologetic.
embarrassed or ashamed – used mainly in newspaper reports: · A judge was left red-faced when his mobile phone rang in court.
[not before noun] extremely embarrassed and ashamed because you realize that you have done something very silly or wrong: · He said he was mortified at the way his comments had been reported in the papers.
adjective moving or doing things in a careless way, especially so that you drop things, knock into things etc: · She was very clumsy and was always walking into doors.· With clumsy fingers he took out a pack of cigarettes and tried to light one.
adjective moving in a way that does not seem relaxed or comfortable: · Her husband always looked a bit awkward when he was dancing.· an awkward teenager
adjective moving in a way that is not graceful – used especially about people or things that are big: · The ostrich is rather an ungainly bird.· She collapsed into the chair in an ungainly manner.
adjective not able to control your movements very well, and therefore not very good at physical activities: · When she first starting playing tennis, her movements were slow and uncoordinated.
adjective often having accidents: · I was very accident-prone as a child and was always having to go to hospital.
British English informal, be all thumbs American English informal to be unable to control your fingers very well, so that you cannot do something: · ‘Do you want some help unwrapping that?’ ‘Yes please, I’m all fingers and thumbs today.’
not easy to do, understand, or deal with: · a difficult question· The homework was really difficult.· It is difficult to see how peace can be achieved in the region.
difficult. Hard is less formal than difficult and is very common in spoken English: · The test was really hard.· a hard decision· It was hard to forgive him.
very difficult, because you have to use a lot of effort, or because it affects you emotionally: · a tough race· Doctors have to make tough decisions about who to treat first.· The team faces some tough competition.· Life is tough sometimes.
difficult because it is complicated and full of problems: · She had helped him out of a tricky situation.· Merging the two companies was bound to be tricky.
rather difficult to deal with – used especially when something could be embarrassing: · You’ve put me in a very awkward position.· It was getting dark and foggy, which made the rescue even more awkward.
difficult in an interesting or enjoyable way: · I wanted a job that was more challenging.· a challenging piece of music
difficult and tiring, because it takes a lot of effort: · Being a nurse in a busy hospital is a demanding job.· it can be very demanding bringing up young children.
if something seems daunting, you think that it will be difficult and you do not feel confident about being able to do it: · a daunting challenge· The task seemed a little daunting at first.
needing to be dealt with carefully or sensitively, especially in order to avoid offending people or causing problems: · This is a very delicate subject, and it can be difficult to talk about it with your parents.· He thanked me for the way in which this delicate matter had been handled.
Longman Language Activatormoving in an awkward way not able to control your movements skilfully, and therefore not usually good at sports and other physical activities: · I can't play tennis very well -- I'm too uncoordinated.· There was Thomas, walking towards me in his strange uncoordinated way.
moving in a way that looks clumsy and uncomfortable: · She felt awkward in her high-heeled shoes.· Bud turned round and gave an awkward wave out of the car window.
moving in an ungraceful way - use this about people or things that are very big: · Dinosaurs were huge ungainly animals with tiny brains.· She was old, fat and ungainly, and had to struggle to get to her feet.
a time or arrangement that causes difficulties · I'm afraid he's come at an inconvenient time.inconvenient/not convenient for · I can call you back later if it's not convenient for you to talk now.· They discussed moving the office to a new building downtown but it wasn't convenient for most of the staff.it is inconvenient to do something · If you find it inconvenient to come to the office, we can email the files to you.
especially spoken a time that is not convenient because you are busy or you have made other plans: · Sorry - have I come at a bad time?
spoken if something, especially an arrangement, time, date etc is bad for or is no good for you, it is not convenient because you have other plans: · Saturdays are no good for me. Could we play Fridays instead?· Would it be bad for you if we met at my house instead of yours?
if something is awkward or difficult , it is inconvenient to do it, especially because it would interrupt something else: · Robson's resignation comes at an awkward time for the company.· Things are a bit difficult at the moment. Can I call you back this afternoon?
a situation that is difficult to deal with or talk about a difficult situation or subject is not easy to deal with or talk about, and it makes you feel nervous or unhappy: · Things at home have been very difficult since my father died.be in a difficult position (=to have problems that are difficult to deal with): · Officials say they are in the difficult position of having to implement a law they strongly disagree with.
an awkward situation or subject is difficult to deal with or talk about, especially because it might be embarrassing: · He's at an age when kids start asking awkward questions - like 'Where do babies come from?'
a tricky situation is one that you have to deal with very carefully, because there are a lot of things that could easily go wrong: · Teachers often have to deal with tricky situations such as interviews with angry parents.it could/would be tricky to do something: · It would be very tricky to try to stabilize the region without the support of other countries.
a delicate matter, subject, situation etc is one that you must be very careful talking about or dealing with because you risk offending or upsetting people: · I am seeking your professional advice on a very delicate matter.· Madeline was wondering how to approach the delicate question of her salary with her new boss.
something that is sensitive , such as a political or social problem or a document, is likely to cause trouble or be likely to upset someone: · The team is gathering information on the sensitive subject of child abuse.· The administration claims that the documents contain information of a highly sensitive political nature.
a touchy subject or situation is one that you must be very careful talking about or dealing with because you risk upsetting or offending someone: · Until now both candidates have avoided talking about the touchy subject of health care reform.
informal a political problem that is very difficult for the government to deal with because there is a lot of disagreement about it: · Fortunately for the government, this issue has drawn attention away from the hot potato of funding the London Underground.
someone who is unhelpful and causes problems someone who is difficult is not easy to live with or work with because they do not behave in a helpful, friendly way: · When Darren was a little boy, he was very difficult at times.· Campbell has the reputation of being difficult to work with.
someone who is awkward is deliberately unhelpful and unfriendly, and seems to like causing problems for people: · Do you have to be so awkward about everything?
spoken someone who is impossible makes you annoyed and impatient, for example because they are never satisfied or they keep changing their mind: · She's impossible! Even when I offer to help her she always finds some reason to complain.· Dan's impossible to live with when he's sick.
someone who is a pain is annoying and difficult to deal with: · Carla can be a pain sometimes, but she's been a good friend to me.· Little brothers are such a pain in the neck!
a child who is always behaving badly and often gets into trouble: · In my years as a teacher, I've seen plenty of problem children come and go.
very difficult to deal with, live with, work with etc: · I'm not surprised you've had problems with Diane. She's not the easiest person to work with, is she?
British informal someone who is bolshy behaves in an unhelpful, bad-tempered way and argues with the people that they are supposed to obey: · Stop being so bolshie and just get on with it, will you?
words meaning embarrassed feeling uncomfortable or shy and worrying about what people think of you, for example because you have made a stupid mistake or because you have to talk about your feelings, about sex etc: · Tony spilled red wine all over their carpet. He was so embarrassed!· The teachers are supposed to teach us about 'safe sex', but most of them are too embarrassed.get/feel embarrassed: · Kids get embarrassed if their Mums kiss them in front of their friends.embarrassed about: · I got very drunk at the party, and I feel really embarrassed about it.embarrassed by/at: · Marlon was always embarrassed by his lack of education.acutely embarrassed (=very embarrassed): · "I'm not sure if I actually want to marry her," Harry said, feeling acutely embarrassed.
shy and embarrassed about your body, or about the way you look or talk: feel self-conscious: · I always feel really self-conscious in a bikini.self-conscious about: · Teenagers are often very self-conscious about their appearance.
feeling embarrassed because you cannot relax with the people around you: · All this talk about love and romance was making me uncomfortable.feel uncomfortable: · Jim always felt uncomfortable on such formal occasions.· an uncomfortable silence
feeling so shy, nervous, and embarrassed that you cannot behave in a natural way: feel awkward: · I didn't know anyone at the party, and I felt really awkward at first.an awkward moment/silence etc (=when you or other people feel awkward): · For one awkward moment I thought I had said something terribly wrong.· Carrie laughed out loud, and there was an awkward silence.
looking or feeling a little embarrassed because you feel guilty about something: · He gave her a sheepish look and said, "I'm very sorry, I forgot it was your birthday."look sheepish: · Debbie arrived late for work looking a bit sheepish.
very shocked, embarrassed, or ashamed because you realize that you have done something wrong, or because of something unpleasant that happens to you: mortified by: · Deaver was mortified by his mistake and immediately admitted that he was wrong.mortified at the thought of something: · Carla felt mortified at the thought of having to repeat another year at school.mortified to find/see etc something: · I was mortified to find that everyone else was wearing evening dress.
to feel extremely embarrassed and uncomfortable because of something stupid that you did or said, or because of something that someone else does: · Whenever I think back to what I said at the party it makes me want to squirm.squirm with embarrassment: · The little boy squirmed with embarrassment when his mother told him off in front of his friends.
spoken say this when you are telling someone about a time when you felt extremely embarrassed: · When I realized that Sally had heard every word I said about her, I could have died.
if someone, especially someone in authority has egg on their face, they have done something wrong or embarrassing in a way that makes them look stupid: · Don't underestimate this club or you'll be left with egg on your face. I've got one of the best squads ever in the Premier League.· The government ended up with egg on its face when it was found to have withheld documents for political purposes.
someone who causes a lot of problems someone who deliberately causes problems, especially by complaining a lot or trying to make people fight or argue: · The violence was started by a small group of troublemakers.· Women who point out cases of harassment risk being labelled troublemakers.
someone who is difficult or awkward causes a lot of problems, because they behave in an unreasonable or unhelpful way: · Darren's always been such a difficult child.difficult/awkward about: · She's being really awkward about the divorce.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions. an awkward silence Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do). an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions. an awkward silence Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do). an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful) (=used mainly about the time when people are teenagers)· 13 – 16 is often a difficult age.
· After an awkward pause, Ray began to answer my question.
· My foot was in an awkward position.
· I was in the difficult position of having to choose between them.
· The refugee organizations now found themselves in a difficult position.
· I'm sorry if I put you in an awkward position.
(=one that someone does not want to answer)· How can we keep the press from asking awkward questions?
· ‘Fred tells me you like books,’ Steve said, after an awkward silence.
· He was 13 and going through that awkward stage.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· A more awkward business, ours here.· In fact, the Newtonian problem is a much more awkward one than that put forward by Fredkin and Toffoli.· The corner is awkward, much more awkward than was recognised when, in 1965, Professor Robinson coined the phrase.· Her other inconsistencies presaged more awkward problems.· His pace slowed, his rhythm became even more awkward.· In fact, I found the interface more awkward to use than WordStar's.· It could well make life more awkward for ministers.· As it was, the prince's age could hardly have been more awkward.
· The most awkward of these are the manager's expenses when travelling at the request and on behalf of the artist.· Ingrid was the one who found it most awkward.· They're determined to expose your pitiful lack of knowledge at the most awkward moments.· And I don't think I need point out that I am in the most awkward situation of all.· Not if he arranged it at the most awkward time of the year? a little voice rejoined.· They remember you at your most awkward and unformed and they take delight in reminding you of it.· Some of the most awkward times can be social situations both within and outside of work.
· She was long-legged and rather awkward and didn't do things quickly even when she got started!· It is rather awkward to get your fingers into, so scrap it if you can't use it.· The few shoppers who are searching for soap powder feel rather awkward.· They had something rather awkward and difficult to tell her.· I found these rather awkward to fit.
· Before things could get really awkward, there was a movement from the other end of the hall.· I realize my generation has made some really awkward attempts to change that equation.· Awkward questions Sometimes even well-meaning interviewers will throw you a really awkward question.· At best it was pointless; at worst it could be really awkward.
· Captain Duro had become fond of this tall, slightly awkward girl.· In it Amelia gave a slightly awkward interview.· In a slightly awkward movement, he shows her out the door.· He even felt slightly awkward sitting out with her in a public place having coffee.· He felt slightly awkward, as though he were in a strange woman's room.
· Why am I being so awkward?· What was he so awkward about?· He was an exuberant conversationalist, and I surrendered in silence to his narratives, feeling so awkward about presenting my own.
· Her limbs were splayed at angles too awkward for comfort.· It looked bulky, but was well designed, and not too awkward to wear.· Maybe she felt it was too awkward?
· The Department can be very awkward at times.· It showed a tumor in the frontal lobe in a very awkward place: close to the motor strip and language areas.· George stood in the middle of the two pairs, feeling very awkward and uncomfortable.· But I found the tessitura very awkward here and there.· Things became very awkward between us afterwards and, as a result, I had to quit my job.· This was not only humiliating but also very awkward for Baldwin.· The two officers, using false documents, attempted to leave New Zealand but were caught.It was a very awkward situation.· It would be very awkward if she called at the house and Miss Watson were just about to come over.
NOUN· He was approaching the awkward age in a professional golfer's career.
· Soldiers were leaning against the walls, their guns slung at awkward angles as they smoked and chatted.· And you may find adjustable soil and drain elbows, useful for awkward angles.· The Braun Oral-B Plaque Remover has tiny round-ended bristles that clean every awkward angle of your teeth.
· It is possible, though, to make too much of this undoubtedly awkward fact.· At this point an awkward fact will become manifest.· It is usually possible, too, to live with awkward facts as anomalies awaiting further explanation.
· But at this awkward moment, Aurangzeb suddenly recovered.· Ask a question, especially if an awkward moment is coming on.· Madame Czechowska felt embarrassed and it was Zborowski who coped with the awkward moment.· It was a painful, awkward moment.· The gradualists say this is an awkward moment, and they are right: it always is.· They're determined to expose your pitiful lack of knowledge at the most awkward moments.· In the campaign itself there was one awkward moment and that was on the issue of private health.· Economic difficulties are foreclosing on Mr Lawson at an awkward moment for the Government.
· His eyebrows rose slightly at her scarcely hidden hostility, and there was an awkward pause.· An awkward pause swelled in the room.
· This is not a good idea as it puts the candidate in the awkward position of not knowing how to address you.· She watched him assume the awkward position.· Check, though, that she isn't sleeping in an awkward position, which may sometimes cause the problem.· Katz put Ford in an incredibly awkward position as well.· The porter was expecting them and let Maxim park in an awkward position on the forecourt pavement.· This leaves Colonial Williamsburg in an awkward position.· The affected fish had previously been swimming on its head and it spine had become deformed due to its awkward position.· You can lose your friends if you put them in the awkward position of trying to get business for you.
· Don't be afraid to ask awkward questions.· Missile defence has a political momentum that makes a supposedly awkward question such as whether it really works pale almost into irrelevance.· Overfamiliarity at this stage also makes asking awkward questions more difficult.· The extra thirty days for a successful crossing raised some awkward questions.· To have assumed otherwise would have been to raise a number of awkward questions.· My knowledge of history and myself made me ask awkward questions.· He's asking awkward questions, he's probably a spy.· Maybe have a walk down the fence line to consider our position and prepare ourselves for awkward questions.
· This simplifies fitting around awkward shapes. 2 Lay the vinyl in place with surplus curling up the wall.· You may also want to tile awkward shapes such as the window recesses, or things like bath surrounds.· Any child who is encouraged to explore these aspects will learn the awkward shapes of words quite naturally.
· An awkward silence fell between them.· When we got to the restaurant, there was an awkward silence as I took out my tape recorder.· There was another awkward silence, broken by the laughter from the bar.· Spider said after an awkward silence.· There was an awkward silence which Maidstone might have broken with some amiable remark to save Sandison's face.· An awkward silence would do them both good.· If Jack had been at all concerned that his impulsive gesture would result in an awkward silence he need not have worried.· She figured the awkward silence was partly the result of people believing that only big topics were worthy of being discussed.
· He had good taste and was most helpful in extricating one from awkward situations.· He could already smell the awkward situations.· And with Superstyle Twin Track, a valance rail allows you to add a little extra style even in those awkward situations.· Plenty of yuks ensue as she struggles with the awkward situation.· Winterburn almost put the ball into his own net from Milligan's cross, O'Leary recovering an awkward situation.· Suddenly the boss found himself in an awkward situation.· And I don't think I need point out that I am in the most awkward situation of all.· Some call it treason; others tell them to be quiet and not make an awkward situation worse.
· Even so, this shift in thinking is taking place at an awkward time.· So we had an awkward time.· There were awkward times as well as good times, and subjects on which we could never agree.· The incident came at an awkward time, preceding by a few days a visit by the Chief Rabbi.· Not if he arranged it at the most awkward time of the year? a little voice rejoined.· Some of the most awkward times can be social situations both within and outside of work.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say SYN difficult: - A tough customer, a man to be reckoned with.
- But he'd take on some one like Glenda Grower, who's a much tougher customer.
- But the tough treatment was only for tough customers.
- He's overcome some genuinely tough customers, but Gimenez was abject.
- He looks a tough customer to deal with.
- The next, you're making speeches to the wind. Tricky customers, ordinary people.
I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions. There was an awkward moment when she didn’t know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek. an awkward silence A laugh can help people over an awkward situation. Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do).► see thesaurus at embarrassed2not relaxed or comfortable: She liked to dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her. Geoff looked uneasy and awkward. Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.3difficult to do, use, or deal with: It’ll be awkward getting cars in and out. The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage. A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space. She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.► see thesaurus at difficult4not convenient: I’m sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won’t keep you a minute.5an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful SYN difficultawkward about The staff wanted to go home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late. an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)—awkwardly adverb: ‘I’m very sorry about your sister,’ he said awkwardly. Vera smiled awkwardly.—awkwardness noun [uncountable]: He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.