awkward

adjective

awk·​ward ˈȯ-kwərd 

1

: having or showing a lack of grace, skill, or ease (as in a movement or activity)

an awkward public speaker

awkward with his hands

awkward at sports

… escaped a knee injury after an awkward landing …

—Cam Inman

… light verse, with some awkward phrasing.

—Jonathan Bate

2

: lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts : ungainly

an awkward design

3

a

: lacking social grace and assurance

a shy and awkward teenager

is awkward with strangers

b

: causing embarrassment

an awkward moment

c

: embarrassed

felt awkward about the misunderstanding

4

a

: not easy to handle or deal with (as due to size, shape, or position)

working at an awkward angle

It's not heavy—it's just awkward.

The controls are awkward to use.

b

: requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care

an awkward diplomatic situation

5

obsolete : perverse

6

archaic : unfavorable, adverse

awkwardly adverb

awkwardness noun

Synonyms of awkward

• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• clumsy

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

However, Kody first wanted to make small talk with the women, but Meri and Janelle weren’t having it — leading to a very awkward conversation. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

The first film, which centered on Greg Fockner (Ben Stiller) enduring many awkward encounters while trying to impress his girlfriend’s parents before proposing, became a blockbuster hit, grossing $330 million worldwide. —Giana Levy, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025

Insert one very awkward stalemate between the pair here. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

In a way, their inevitably awkward post-Alonso stage is already over. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Kids Definition

awkward

adjective

awk·​ward ˈȯ-kwərd 

1

: lacking skill and flexibility (as in the use of the hands)

2

: not graceful : clumsy

3

: causing embarrassment

an awkward situation

4

: difficult to use or handle

an awkward tool

awkwardly adverb

awkwardness noun