awkward

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adjective awk·ward \ˈȯ-kwərd\

Definition of awkward

1a : 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
2a : lacking ease or grace (as of movement or expression) awkward writingb : lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts : ungainly an awkward design
3a : lacking social grace and assurance an awkward newcomerb : 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

awkwardly

adverb

awkwardness

noun

See awkward defined for English-language learners

See awkward defined for kids

Examples of awkward in a Sentence

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
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
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

An interactive station also gives guests something to do with their hands during the potentially awkward arrival-time of any party.

— caitlin wallace, kansascity.com, "Brunch-spiration for your Sunday Funday at home", 3 July 2017
The rule has been a longtime thorn in the side of Utah’s restaurant industry, which has complained that the barriers can be ugly and awkward, and point out that children can still see customers drinking alcohol.

— michelle l. price, The Seattle Times, "Prices rise, partitions fall under new Utah liquor law", 1 July 2017
The standoff has been awkward for the United States.

— carol morello, Washington Post, "Tillerson urges Qatar and the gulf states to negotiate an end to their rift", 25 June 2017
The awkward pairing of Airbnb sponsoring a conference hosted by its fiercest Florida critic comes largely thanks to the economics of the convention itself.

— douglas hanks, miamiherald, "At mayors conference in Miami Beach, a battleground for the Airbnb debate", 23 June 2017
In the fifth, Kennedy committed an awkward throwing error, which led to two more Red Sox runs.

— rustin dodd, kansascity.com, "Salvador Perez’s grand slam lifts the Royals in 6-4 victory over Red Sox", 21 June 2017
Meanwhile, Louis is at a bar with the guys and has an awkward heart-to-heart with Hannah's dad.

— emily selter, Town & Country, "Southern Charm Savannah Episode 7 Recap: Scandal on Saint Simons Island", 20 June 2017
Miami U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has been getting trolled on social media after a cringe-worthy photo of his awkward attempt to embrace the much taller Ivanka Trump popped up on political websites.

— by jose lambiet, miamiherald, "Marco Rubio finds out the hard way: It takes two to hug", 20 June 2017
When Congress wants not to get something done—like, say, tackle hot button legislation that could prove awkward for certain members even to vote on—its favorite trick is to run out the clock.

— michelle cottle, The Atlantic, "Vacation's All They Ever Wanted", 17 June 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

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First Known Use: 1530

See Words from the same year

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