adj

awkward

AWK-wuhd

adj

Causing or feeling embarrassment or discomfort, especially in a social situation.

"There was an awkward silence after his joke fell flat."

"She felt awkward meeting her ex at the party."

Clumsy or lacking skill in movement or use of the hands.

"He made an awkward attempt to catch the ball."

Difficult to deal with or handle.

"The sofa was an awkward shape to carry up the stairs."

How to Use Awkward

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUncomfortable, clumsy, or hard to manage.

Common pairings

awkward silence awkward situation feel awkward

more awkward comparative, awkwards plural, most awkward superlative

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There was an _____ silence after his joke fell flat.

From Middle English awke, "clumsy" + -ward.