Awkward definitions
Not graceful; ungainly.
adjective
Not dexterous; clumsy.
adjective
Not having grace or skill; clumsy, as in form or movement; bungling.
An awkward dancer, an awkward style.
adjective
The definition of awkward is someone who is clumsy or a situation which is uncomfortable.
A person who is uncoordinated is an example of a person who is awkward.
If you are with someone and neither of you can think of anything to say, that is an example of an awkward silence.
adjective
Difficult to handle or manage.
An awkward bundle to carry.
adjective
Difficult to effect; uncomfortable.
An awkward pose.
adjective
Marked by or causing embarrassment or discomfort.
An awkward remark; an awkward silence.
adjective
Requiring great tact, ingenuity, skill, and discretion.
An awkward situation arose during the peace talks.
adjective
Inconvenient to use; hard to handle; unwieldy.
An awkward tool.
adjective
Inconvenient; uncomfortable; cramped.
An awkward position.
adjective
Showing or resulting from lack of social poise; embarrassed or embarrassing.
An awkward remark.
adjective
Not easy to deal with; delicate.
An awkward situation.
adjective
Perverse or untoward.
adjective
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.
adjective
Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.
That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.
adjective
Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction.
I'm very awkward at parties.
Things get very awkward whenever 60-year old men use cheesy pick-up lines on me.
adjective
Clumsily or unskillfully performed.
The opera was marred by an awkward aria.
adjective
Origin of awkward
Middle English awkeward in the wrong way awke wrong (from Old Norse öfugr backward apo- in Indo-European roots) -ward -ward