WordGarden.ioawkward
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɔːkwəd/
US
- /ˈɑkwərd/
Meanings
Adjective
socially uncomfortable, embarrassing, or marked by self-conscious tension
hard to use, carry, arrange, or deal with smoothly
clumsy, ungainly, or lacking smooth coordination in movement
Beyond the definition
Have you ever said the wrong thing at a party? Or tripped while trying to make a good impression? That's awkward. It describes situations, people, or moments that are uncomfortable, clumsy, or embarrassing—often due to social unease. A long silence after a joke falls flat is awkward, and a tall person in a cramped room might keep bumping their head.
The feeling itself is known as awkwardness—a sense of self-consciousness and difficulty navigating a situation smoothly. Think of it like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole; things just don't quite flow. Sometimes, an awkward pause is all you need to realize a situation has become slightly "off-kilter."
The word "awkward" describes a feeling or situation characterized by discomfort, embarrassment, or a lack of grace. It is more than just being clumsy; it often involves social unease and the difficulty of knowing how to act or what to say. Think about those moments where you realize you've said something inappropriate, or when a conversation stalls with an uncomfortable silence—that is awkwardness in action.
"Awkward" can describe people, too. Someone described as awkward might be shy, socially inexperienced, or simply have difficulty navigating social cues. They may struggle with eye contact or finding the right words. However, being awkward isn't always negative. In stories, an awkward character is often seen as endearing, adding a sense of realism and relatability to the narrative.
Beyond social situations, "awkward" also describes physical difficulty or inconvenience. An "awkward shape" is one that is hard to carry or manage, and an "awkward time" is one that is inconvenient for everyone involved. In every case, the word points to a lack of smoothness in movement, interaction, or timing.
Examples
- 1
Uncomfortable silence
When I introduced my two friends, they just smiled and stood there in awkward silence.
- Phraseawkward silence
silence that feels uncomfortable
- 2
Social events
I felt awkward at the party because I didn't know anyone.
- 3
Being filmed
He looked awkward in front of the camera at first, but he relaxed after a few minutes.
- 4
Difficult request
It's awkward asking your boss for more time when the project is already late.
- Patternawkward doing X
uncomfortable or difficult to do
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
After conflict
We had an awkward conversation after the argument, but at least we cleared things up.
- 6
Bad timing
Sorry, this is an awkward time to call. Can I ring you back later?
- Phrasean awkward time
an inconvenient time
- 7
Hard to handle
The box was too awkward to carry by myself.
- 8
Difficult situation
That question put her in an awkward position.
- Phrasein an awkward position
in a difficult situation where there is no easy answer
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- awkward silence
- awkward moment
- awkward conversation
- make things awkward
Word family
Explore
- social discomfort
- social tension
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- awkwardadjective