awkward
10
2.5
- adjective
- /ˈɔːkwərd/
- The unusually shaped vase was awkward to carry, making it challenging to balance while walking.
- awkward to use
- difficult and awkward
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Watch on YouTubeThe little loaf just seems so awkward because it's so high.
- The little loaf just seems so awkward because it's so high.
- If you'll notice the stairs are very awkward to walk up.
- They come out like these awkward GHD curl things do a messy bun.
Examples
-
Unfortunately, he is in the awkward position of being credible only if the PRI loses.
Academic text (1990) -
The letter inside was written in a large, awkward hand, part printing, part cursive.
Fiction book (1992) -
Oh, man, I cannot think of anything more awkward to watch than that interview.
-
It's going to be an awkward drive back.
-
I was just trying to avoid an awkward situation.
-
Your leaving came at an awkward age for him.
-
This is a bit awkward.
-
But this was a super awkward situation and I couldn't deal with that.
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This is the most awkward thing I think we've ever recorded.
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Nurses may be forced into awkward, twisted positions because of limited work space.
Academic text (2006)
Synonyms
283
3.9
Difficult to do because it has hidden problems
121
2.1
Hard to control or deal with, often not willing to help
78
4.1
Something that causes trouble and makes things difficult
34
2.3
Large and taking up a lot of space, like a big coat or suitcase
22
6.7
Large, heavy, and difficult to carry or use
15
5.5
Something awkward and heavy in movement or design that is hard to use
14
6.7
Hard to move because it is large, heavy, or oddly shaped
7
7.3
Moving or looking awkward and clumsy
2
7.5
Moving awkwardly and often causing small accidents or embarrassment
2
7.9
Hard to do because it has small, delicate parts
1
5.1
Fairly difficult and needing some skill or care to do
1
2.2
Difficult to hold or carry because of large, awkward shape
1
9.9
Hard to handle because of large size, weight, or many parts
1
5.8
Not easy to use or carry
1
9.9
Hard to carry or move because it is large and awkward
Antonyms
Compounds
How Cumbersome
Surface Forms
Etymology
Awkward comes from an old Norse word afugr meaning 'turned the wrong way'. So an awkward object is 'turned the wrong way' for carrying or fitting, which is why it is hard to handle.