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awkward

awkward

311 2.7
Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable in social situations
  • adjective
  • /ˈɔːkwərd/
translation icon : incómodo
  • The woman in the purple scarf felt a little awkward standing there between the table and the chair.
  • feel awkward
  • an awkward moment
  • an awkward situation

I'm like, no, like, how awkward is this, right?

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Examples

  • Szilard proceeded to solve it, but it put him in the awkward position of having solved the wrong problem.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The relationship is particularly awkward now because of the high tensions in both countries over immigration.

    Academic text (2006)
  • And it was awkward for me being your friend.

  • So now it's just like kind of awkward, I think.

  • So I thought I was over this awkward thing, but here we are again.

  • In fact, I bet it was a bit awkward for everyone.

  • I know things have been awkward between us.

  • I had a really awkward encounter with Willem.

  • He felt awkward during the toast at the wedding reception, unsure of what to say.

  • After tripping on the rug, she stood there feeling awkward as everyone stared at her.

Synonyms

uncomfortable
vsawkward
713 1.7

Causing physical pain or making you feel uneasy in a situation

focuses specifically on social embarrassment and lack of confidence
shy
vsawkward
343 1.0

Nervous and likely to avoid people or new situations

is often a temporary social discomfort rather than a lasting personality trait
embarrassed
vsawkward
145 1.1

Feeling awkward, shy, or ashamed because of something you did

covers similar social discomfort even when no specific shame is present
uneasy
vsawkward
98 3.2

You feel worried and not relaxed

is specific to social embarrassment and lack of ease in manner
self-conscious
vsawkward
61 4.6

Feeling nervous because you think others are watching or judging you

is wider and covers discomfort without focused self awareness
dorky
vsawkward
  • Informal
33 7.7

Awkward and not fashionable in a slightly silly way

is about feeling embarrassed or lacking confidence, not humorous oddness
bashful
vsawkward
18 3.2

Shy and easily embarrassed, avoiding attention

is more about situational lack of ease rather than steady shyness
sheepish
vsawkward
9 4.0

Feeling embarrassed and a little shy because of a mistake

is broader, applying to many kinds of social unease rather than bashful display
ill at ease
vsawkward
6 5.5

Feeling uncomfortable or nervous around other people

is a more general lack of ease or confidence in manner
abashed
vsawkward
1 7.2

Feeling embarrassed and awkward after making a mistake or being corrected

describes general lack of ease not only after being exposed
shamefaced
vsawkward
1 6.5

Feeling or showing shame and embarrassment

is broader, covering general social discomfort without moral shame
très gauche
vsawkward
9.9

Very awkward in social situations that make people uncomfortable

includes similar social discomfort but not only clumsy behaviour
sore-thumbish
vsawkward
  • Informal
9.9

Looks out of place and stands out among similar things

is about feeling embarrassed or lacking confidence rather than just standing out

Antonyms

1.6

Feeling relaxed and not worried about people or situations

715 2.5

Feeling sure about yourself or what will happen

Compounds

A short time when people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed

A tense pause in a conversation that makes people feel uncomfortable

How Awkward

mortified
10 4.9
embarrassed
145 1.1
awkward
311 2.7
uneasy
98 3.2

Surface Forms

awkward positive
awkwarder comparative
awkwardest superlative

Etymology

Awkward comes from an old Norse word afugr meaning 'turned the wrong way'. So when you feel awkward in a social situation you feel 'out of place' or uncomfortable, as if you do not fit in.