Definitions for awkward
ˈɔk wərdawk·ward

Princeton's WordNet(2.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. awkward(adj)

   causing inconvenience

   "they arrived at an awkward time"

2. awkward(adj)

   lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance

   "an awkward dancer"; "an awkward gesture"; "too awkward with a needle to make her own clothes"; "his clumsy fingers produced an awkward knot"

3. awkward, bunglesome, clumsy, ungainly(adj)

   difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape

   "an awkward bundle to carry"; "a load of bunglesome paraphernalia"; "clumsy wooden shoes"; "the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl"

4. awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, inapt, inept, ill-chosen(adj)

   not elegant or graceful in expression

   "an awkward prose style"; "a clumsy apology"; "his cumbersome writing style"; "if the rumor is true, can anything be more inept than to repeat it now?"

5. awkward, embarrassing, sticky, unenviable(adj)

   hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment

   "awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion"; "an awkward pause followed his remark"; "a sticky question"; "in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign"

6. awkward, ill at ease(p), uneasy(adj)

   socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner

   "awkward and reserved at parties"; "ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know"; "was always uneasy with strangers"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. awkward(Adverb)

   In a backwards direction.

2. awkward(Adjective)

   Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments

   John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practise to improve.

3. awkward(Adjective)

   Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing

   That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.

4. awkward(Adjective)

   Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction

5. awkward(Adjective)

   Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Awkward(adj)

   wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy

2. Awkward(adj)

   not easily managed or effected; embarrassing

3. Awkward(adj)

   perverse; adverse; untoward

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Awkward

   Awkward is an album by Ty. It was released in 2001 on Ninja Tune records.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Awkward

   awk′ward, adj. clumsy: ungraceful: embarrassed: difficult to deal with: (Shak.) unfavourable: (obs.) froward.—adj. Awk′wardish.—adv. Awk′wardly, clumsily, embarrassingly, dangerously.—n. Awk′wardness. [Prob. Ice. afug, turned wrong way, and suff. -ward, expressing direction.]

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'awkward' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2554

2. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'awkward' in Adjectives Frequency: #741

How to pronounce awkward?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say awkward in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of awkward in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of awkward in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of awkward in a Sentence

1. Sukumar Vijayaraghavan:

   I rated him quite highly, he was quiet, definitely socially awkward, but someone who had the caliber to join the program.

2. The Journal:

   Using the 1.5-pound headset is about as awkward as sleeping on an airplane.

3. Luke Donald:

   Actually had dinner with Justin Rose the night before Justin Rose left for the Ryder Cup, which was fine. It wasn't awkward, you don't play well enough and you can't expect to get picked. I wasn't playing very well.

4. Anthony David -LRB- @anthonydavidatl -RRB-:

   I just recently did a Bill Withers tribute and that was way more awkward than I thought.

5. Linda Esposito:

   This is where you are going to see some of your socially awkward kids really struggle, it can be really tough and I think that for parents to really talk with their kids about the transition and some of the things that they could expect, try to prepare them but also realize that this is just part of their natural progression and they do need to have an ability to reach an age appropriate independence level.

Images & Illustrations of awkward

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