awkward
33
3.0
- adjective
- /ˈɔːkwərd/
:
torpe
- During the interview, he made several awkward pauses that drew attention to his nervousness.
You'll notice that that line sounds awkward, and I did it on purpose.
- You'll notice that that line sounds awkward, and I did it on purpose.
Examples
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It was her awkward stage.
-
So I definitely had this, like, weird, awkward situation.
-
That was a pretty awkward way for you to find that out.
-
That was an awkward school assembly.
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I'm awkward and I'm bad at small talk.
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Age had made them lithe, more physical, and Stella was awkward as she ran after them.
Fiction book (1994) -
After an extremely short performance, the child gives a short, if awkward, bow and hastily sits down.
Academic text (2000) -
She felt awkward trying to dance at the party, as she had never taken lessons before.
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His awkward attempt at telling a joke left the room in uncomfortable silence.
Synonyms
73
1.2
Moving in an awkward, unsteady way that causes accidents
49
5.0
Not good at something and often clumsy
7
7.3
Acting awkward and clumsy in movement or when handling things
6
4.8
Not able to move with control so movements look clumsy
5
6.5
Moving or standing in a clumsy way
4
7.3
Moving or looking awkward and clumsy
4
4.6
Awkward and clumsy in movement or social behavior
4
7.1
Awkward and hard to read or listen to because of long, heavy language
2
7.5
Moving awkwardly and often causing small accidents or embarrassment
1
6.3
Not right for the situation and likely to seem awkward
1
7.5
Not suitable and awkward when speaking or acting
1
4.9
Showing awkward, not smooth movement or shape
1
9.1
Unsuitable for a situation that makes people feel uncomfortable
Clumsy with hands when doing simple tasks
Antonyms
Compounds
How Clumsy
Surface Forms
Etymology
Awkward comes from an old Norse word afugr meaning 'turned the wrong way'. So when movements are awkward, they feel 'turned the wrong way' — clumsy and not smooth.