awkward
adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L186431 on Wikidata ↗adjective
- clumsy, unhandy
- socially uncomfortable; maladroit
- embarrassing
- uncooperative
- lacking dexterity or skill
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɔːk.wəd/ / /ˈaːk.wɐd/ / /ˈɔk.wɚd/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *h₃ekʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂époh₃kʷos Proto-Germanic *abuhaz Old Norse ǫfugrder. Middle English awke English awk Proto-Indo-European *wert-der. Proto-Germanic *wardaz Old English -weard English -ward English awkward From awk (“odd, clumsy”) + -ward. Compare Middle English aukeward (“in the wrong direction”).
- Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.
“John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve.”
- Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.
“That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.”
“An awkward silence had fallen.”
- Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction.
“I'm very awkward at parties.”
“Things got awkward when my boss tried a cheesy pick-up line on me.”
- Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle.
“He's a right awkward chap.”
“These cabinets are going to be very awkward when we move.”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *h₃ekʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂époh₃kʷos Proto-Germanic *abuhaz Old Norse ǫfugrder. Middle English awke English awk Proto-Indo-European *wert-der. Proto-Germanic *wardaz Old English -weard English -ward English awkward From awk (“odd, clumsy”) + -ward. Compare Middle English aukeward (“in the wrong direction”).
- Someone or something that is awkward.
“Another important branch of deportment was to seat the awkwards stiffly on the extreme edge of a chair, fold the hands on the very precarious lap, droop the eyes in a pensive way.”
“'What periods are you talking about?' / 'The monthly awkwards. Didn't the girls at Molyneux have them when you were managing director?' / The Rabbit leaned forward, sniffing the air in the immediate vicinity. 'Either you've been drinking or you've got some girl into trouble. Or am I being unfair to you and it's both?'”