awkward

adjective awk·ward \ ˈȯ-kwərd \

Definition of awkward

1 a :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

2 a :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

3 a :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

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awkwardly

adverb

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awkwardness

noun

See awkward defined for English-language learners

See awkward defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of awkward from the Web

However, there was one awkward aspect to Parker's presence.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Jabari Parker upbeat at halfway point of knee rehab," 29 Aug. 2017
Playing fourth-fiddle in the running game a year ago had to be awkward.

— kellis robinett, kansascity, "K-State’s Alex Barnes runs with speed, power and personality," 26 Aug. 2017
The senior senator from Massachusetts is awkward and halting, even enervating in her relentless hectoring.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "Elizabeth Warren Sells Out," 16 Aug. 2017
The Patriots could tag Jimmy Garoppolo, but that could force a raise for Tom Brady and make the situation fiscally (and otherwise) awkward in Foxboro.

— albert breer, SI.com, "Jay Cutler Is Miami’s Present, and the Future Just Got Interesting," 6 Aug. 2017
Chris Christie gives Jerry Jones an awkward side hug https://t.co/MLvu56A5eUhttps://t.co/hUdVuR3fnP — National Review (@NRO) January 5, 2015 The Republican governor is scheduled to leave New Jersey on Friday afternoon.

— Bloomberg.com, "Christie Going to Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones’ Hall of Fame Induction," 4 Aug. 2017
Bad Picture Monday is about embracing the outtakes—weird faces, awkward poses, bizarre angles, and all—and living a little less filtered than usual.

— lindsey lanquist, SELF, "16 Women Who Are Making 'Bad' Picture Monday the Next Big Instagram Trend," 31 July 2017
A few of its hallmarks are awkward social and communication skills.

— Washington Post, "Kin sue to stop inheritance as grandad, mom die mysteriously," 17 July 2017
A surveillance video of the painfully awkward moment was leaked onto YouTube on Thursday, and has received 915,000 views as of Friday evening.

— jennifer earl, CBS News, "Woman taking selfie causes $200,000 worth of damage at art exhibit," 14 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of awkward

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

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awkward Synonyms

Synonyms

clumsy, gauche, graceless, inelegant, rough-hewn, rustic (also rustical), stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden

Antonyms

graceful, suave, urbane

Near Antonyms

assured, calm, collected, composed, confident, cool, placid, poised, secure, self-assured, self-confident, self-possessed, serene, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed

Synonym Discussion of 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

AWKWARD Defined for English Language Learners

awkward

adjective

Definition of awkward for English Language Learners

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

AWKWARD Defined for Kids

awkward

adjective awk·ward \ ˈȯ-kwərd \

Definition of awkward for Students

1 :not graceful :clumsy

an awkward dancer

2 :likely to embarrass

an awkward question

3 :difficult to use or handle

awkward tools

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awkwardly

adverb

—

awkwardness

noun

After a moment of awkwardness, I remembered who she was.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for awkward Spanish Central: Translation of awkward Nglish: Translation of awkward for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of awkward for Arabic speakers

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AWKWARD Defined for English Language Learners

awkward

Definition of awkward for English Language Learners

AWKWARD Defined for Kids

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