awkwardness

noun

awk·​ward·​ness

ˈȯ-kwərd-nəs

plural awkwardnesses

1

: the quality or state of being awkward:

a

: lack of dexterity or skill : clumsiness

a puppy's awkwardness

b

: lack of ease or grace : inelegance

the awkwardness of his prose style

c

: lack of composure : embarrassment

the silence conveyed to neither any sense of awkwardness

—Thomas Hardy

2

: something that is awkward

conscious of these minor awkwardnesses and disfigurements

—Geoffrey Gorer

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