awkward

adjective

awk·​ward ˈȯ-kwərd How to pronounce awkward (audio)
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
awkwardly adverb
awkwardness noun
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 There is a belief among some Dodgers personnel, who were not authorized to speak publicly, that doing so would have only increased the attention on an already awkward situation. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 At first, working from her kitchen table seemed awkward. Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 While it was produced for television (all three were), the 1957 adaptation is so overly theatrical as to be cinematically awkward, and its direction and choreography are less than uninspired. EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 Messi also scored in the 57th minute, an awkward body shot that trickled in from close range after a goal-line clearance off the crossbar. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 His first two interviews, with sober journalists, felt rushed and awkward. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 While looking for love on ‘The Bachelor,’ NC nurse found herself in awkward situations. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 But the awkward use of big words makes for bad writing. Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Feb. 2024 The two have been involved in a years-long feud punctuated by brief, awkward interactions. Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'awkward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of awkward was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near awkward

Cite this Entry

“Awkward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/awkward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

awkward

adjective
awk·​ward ˈȯ-kwərd How to pronounce awkward (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on awkward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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