An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with.
I was the first to ask him awkward questions but there'll be harder ones to come.
There was an awkward moment as couples decided whether to stand next to their partners.
Synonyms: embarrassing, difficult, compromising, sensitive More Synonyms of awkward
awkwardlyadverb [ADVERB adjective/-ed]
There was an awkwardly long silence.
...an awkwardly timed meeting.
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE, oft ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
Something that is awkwardto use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do.
It was small but heavy enough to make it awkward to carry.
Full-size tripods can be awkward, especially if you're shooting a low-level subject.
Synonyms: inconvenient, difficult, troublesome, cumbersome More Synonyms of awkward
awkwardlyadverb [ADVERB -ed]
The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button.
3. adjective
An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy.
Amy made an awkward gesture with her hands.
Synonyms: clumsy, stiff, rude, blundering More Synonyms of awkward
awkwardlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
He fell awkwardly and went down in agony clutching his right knee.
He lay beside her awkwardly, propped on an elbow.
4. adjective
Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way.
Women frequently say that they feel awkward taking the initiative in sex.
He was rather awkward with his godson.
Synonyms: embarrassed, nervous, uncomfortable, uneasy More Synonyms of awkward
awkwardlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
'This is Malcolm,' the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence.
awkwardnessuncountable noun
Synonyms: embarrassment, difficulty, discomfort, delicacy More Synonyms of awkward
Synonyms: uncooperativeness, difficulty, irritability, unpredictability More Synonyms of awkward
Synonyms: difficulty, risk, danger, peril More Synonyms of awkward
Synonyms: unwieldiness, difficulty, inconvenience, unmanageability More Synonyms of awkward
Synonyms: clumsiness, stiffness, rudeness, coarseness More Synonyms of awkward
5. adjective
If you say that someone is awkward, you are critical of them because you find them unreasonable and difficult to live with or deal with.
[disapproval]
She's got to an age where she is being awkward.
Synonyms: uncooperative, trying, difficult, annoying More Synonyms of awkward
More Synonyms of awkward
awkward in British English
(ˈɔːkwəd)
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 situation
an awkward customer
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
Derived forms
awkwardly (ˈawkwardly)
adverb
awkwardness (ˈawkwardness)
noun
Word origin
C14 awk, from Old Norse öfugr turned the wrong way round + -ward
awkward in American English
(ˈɔkwərd)
adjective
1.
not having grace or skill; clumsy, as in form or movement; bungling
an awkward dancer, an awkward style
2.
inconvenient to use; hard to handle; unwieldy
an awkward tool
3.
inconvenient; uncomfortable; cramped
an awkward position
4.
showing or resulting from lack of social poise; embarrassed or embarrassing
an awkward remark
5.
not easy to deal with; delicate
an awkward situation
6. Obsolete
perverse or untoward
SYNONYMY NOTE: awkward implies unfitness for smooth, easy functioning and has the broadest application ofthe terms here, suggesting ungracefulness, inconvenience, tactlessness, embarrassment,etc. [an awkward implement, step, position, remark, etc.]; clumsy, emphasizing stiffness or bulkiness, suggests a lack of flexibility or dexterity,unwieldiness, etc. [a clumsy build, clumsy galoshes]; maladroit, inept both imply tactlessness in social relations, , maladroit often emphasizing this as a tendency and , inept stressing inappropriateness of a particular act or remark
OPPOSITES: deft, handy, graceful
Derived forms
awkwardly (ˈawkwardly)
adverb
awkwardness (ˈawkwardness)
noun
Word origin
ME aukward < ON ǫfugr, turned backward + OE -weard, -ward
Examples of 'awkward' in a sentence
awkward
You are not alone in this awkward situation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was the most awkward moment of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Although some extra work seems to come at an awkward time, you can handle it in style.
The Sun (2016)
Awkward waiting room moment alert!
The Sun (2016)
A chance to fulfil your top ambition may come at an awkward time, but you'll make the most of it.
The Sun (2016)
Tube trains are notorious for throwing one off balance at awkward moments.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He did so without making either of us feel awkward or embarrassed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That is not to say awkward moments have been banished.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We wonder why people want to share those awkward times of their lives.
The Sun (2015)
You will find a way to handle awkward situations in a way that neither upsets nor offends.
Mansfield, Patricia Why Am I Afraid to be Assertive? (1994)
The most awkward and difficult to beat of them all.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This could make for awkward moments at aviation industry dos.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was the most awkward time of my life.
The Sun (2016)
Try to defuse awkward situations in advance.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It can be awkward and difficult to discuss things that are so sad.
The Sun (2012)
He took over at an awkward time.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There were a few awkward social situations.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In the past he was seen as a difficult and pretty awkward interviewee.
The Sun (2010)
She laughed off the awkward moment and paused and waved to photographers before leaving.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cash is so awkward and clumsy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
After the pain and excitement of birth, a young democracy has reached awkward adolescence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And yet you sense that there would have been an embarrassed, awkward moment between the pair.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They can still feel out of place, clumsy and awkward.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There were awkward speeches saying kind and clumsy things, gauche jokes and real fondness.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But without this, it can look incredibly awkward and clumsy.
The Sun (2010)
It's also awkward to use.
The Sun (2006)
But rather than feeling awkward or embarrassed about having to bare all, they say it is empowering and a confidence boost.
The Sun (2015)
In the meantime he says that his career plan, despite the hormonal threat of an awkward adolescence, is looking robust.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
awkward
British English: awkward /ˈɔːkwəd/ ADJECTIVE
An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with.
It was a bit awkward for me.
American English: awkward
Arabic: مُحْرِج
Brazilian Portuguese: desajeitado
Chinese: 笨拙的
Croatian: neugodan
Czech: trapný
Danish: akavet
Dutch: lastig
European Spanish: incómodo embarazoso
Finnish: kömpelö
French: gauche maladroit
German: ungünstig
Greek: αδέξιος
Italian: imbarazzante
Japanese: 不器用な
Korean: 서투른
Norwegian: keitet
Polish: dziwny
European Portuguese: embaraçoso
Romanian: incomod
Russian: затруднительный
Latin American Spanish: incómodo embarazoso
Swedish: generad
Thai: งุ่มง่าม
Turkish: aksi, beceriksiz, ters, sıkıntılı
Ukrainian: незручний
Vietnamese: ngượng ngịu
All related terms of 'awkward'
awkward age
early adolescence
awkward fact
Facts are pieces of information that can be discovered .
awkward pause
A pause is a short period when you stop doing something before continuing .
awkward position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
awkward question
A question is something that you say or write in order to ask a person about something.
awkward conversation
If you have a conversation with someone, you talk with them, usually in an informal situation.