awkward

awkward
[[t]ɔ͟ːkwə(r)d[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with.

I was the first to ask him awkward questions but there'll be harder ones to come...

There was an awkward moment as couples decided whether to stand next to their partners.

Syn:
Ant:
Derived words:
awkwardly ADV ADV adj/-ed

There was an awkwardly long silence.

...an awkwardly timed meeting.

2) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to-inf Something that is awkward to use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do.

It was small but heavy enough to make it awkward to carry...

Full-size tripods can be awkward, especially if you're shooting a low-level subject.

Syn:
Ant:
Derived words:
awkwardly ADV ADV -ed

The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button.

3) ADJ-GRADED An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy.

Amy made an awkward gesture with her hands.

Derived words:
awkwardly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

He fell awkwardly and went down in agony clutching his right knee...

He lay beside her awkwardly, propped on an elbow.

4) ADJ-GRADED Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way.

Women frequently say that they feel awkward taking the initiative in sex...

He was rather awkward with his godson.

Syn:
Ant:
at ease
Derived words:
awkwardly ADV-GRADED ADV with v

`This is Malcolm,' the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence.

awkwardness N-UNCOUNT

He displayed all the awkwardness of adolescence.

5) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you say that someone is awkward, you are critical of them because you find them unreasonable and difficult to live with or deal with.

She's got to an age where she is being awkward.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • awkward — awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not adapted by constitution or character to act, operate, or achieve the intended or desired ends with ease, fitness, or grace. Awkward and clumsy are by far the widest of these terms in their range… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Awkward — Awk ward ([add]k we[ e]rd), a. [Awk + ward.] 1. Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • awkward — [ôk′wərd] adj. [ME aukward < ON ǫfugr, turned backward + OE weard, WARD] 1. not having grace or skill; clumsy, as in form or movement; bungling [an awkward dancer, an awkward style] 2. inconvenient to use; hard to handle; unwieldy [an awkward… …   English World dictionary

  • Awkward — Titre original Awkward Genre Comédie Créateur(s) Lauren Iungerich Acteurs principaux Ashley Rickards Beau Mirchoff Brett Davern Sadie Saxon Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • awkward — [adj1] clumsy, inelegant all thumbs*, amateurish, artless, blundering, bulky, bumbling, bungling, butterfingers*, coarse, floundering, gawky, graceless, green*, having two left feet*, having two left hands*, incompetent, inept, inexpert, klutzy* …   New thesaurus

  • awkward — index difficult, improper, inadept, incompetent, inelegant, inept (incompetent), ponderous, unbecoming …   Law dictionary

  • awkward — (adj.) mid 14c., in the wrong direction, from AWK (Cf. awk) back handed + adverbial suffix weard (see WARD (Cf. ward)). Meaning clumsy first recorded 1520s. Related: Awkwardly. Other formations from awk, none of them surviving, were awky, awkly,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • awkward — ► ADJECTIVE 1) hard to do or deal with. 2) causing or feeling embarrassment. 3) inconvenient. 4) clumsy. DERIVATIVES awkwardly adverb awkwardness noun. ORIGIN from obsolete …   English terms dictionary

  • awkward — awk|ward S2 [ˈo:kwəd US ˈo:kwərd] adj [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: awk turned the wrong way (15 17 centuries) (from Old Norse öfugr) + ward] 1.) making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say = ↑difficult ▪ I hoped he would… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • awkward — adj. 1) awkward with (he is awkward with children) 2) (BE) awkward for (Monday is awkward for me) 3) awkward to + inf. (it is awkward to discuss such matters in public = it is awkward discussing such matters in public) * * * [ ɔːkwəd] (BE)… …   Combinatory dictionary

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