Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [awk-werd]
- /ˈɔk wərd/
- /ˈɔːkwəd/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [awk-werd]
- /ˈɔk wərd/
Definitions of awkward word
- adjective awkward An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with. 3
- adjective awkward Something that is awkward to use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do. 3
- adjective awkward An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy. 3
- adjective awkward Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way. 3
- adjective awkward If you say that someone is awkward, you are critical of them because you find them unreasonable and difficult to live with or deal with. 3
- adjective awkward lacking dexterity, proficiency, or skill; clumsy; inept 3
Information block about the term
Origin of awkward
First appearance:
before 1300 One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English, equivalent to awk(e), auk(e) ‘backhanded’, Old English *afoc (< Old Norse ǫfugr ‘turned the wrong way’; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German abuh, Old English afu(h)lic ‘wrong’, off) + -ward -ward
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Awkward
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
awkward popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
awkward usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for awkward
adj awkward
- amateurish — If you describe something as amateurish, you think that it is not skilfully made or done.
- rude — discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way: a rude reply.
- stiff — rigid or firm; difficult or impossible to bend or flex: a stiff collar.
- artless — Someone who is artless is simple and honest, and does not think of deceiving other people.
- bulky — Something that is bulky is large and heavy. Bulky things are often difficult to move or deal with.
noun awkward
- contretemps — A contretemps is a small disagreement that is rather embarrassing.
adjective awkward
- tricky — given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.
- problematic — of the nature of a problem; doubtful; uncertain; questionable.
- complex — Something that is complex has many different parts, and is therefore often difficult to understand.
- uncooperative — working or acting together willingly for a common purpose or benefit.
- stubborn — unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.
Antonyms for awkward
adj awkward
- adroit — Someone who is adroit is quick and skilful in their thoughts, behaviour, or actions.
- artful — If you describe someone as artful, you mean that they are clever and skilful at achieving what they want, especially by deceiving people.
- dexterous — Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands.
- graceful — characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech; elegant: a graceful dancer; a graceful reply.
- skillful — having or exercising skill: a skillful juggler.
adjective awkward
- cooperative — A cooperative is a business or organization run by the people who work for it, or owned by the people who use it. These people share its benefits and profits.
- compact — Compact things are small or take up very little space. You use this word when you think this is a good quality.
- comfortable — If a piece of furniture or an item of clothing is comfortable, it makes you feel physically relaxed when you use it, for example because it is soft.
Top questions with awkward
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with a
- Words starting with aw
- Words starting with awk
- Words starting with awkw
- Words starting with awkwa
- Words starting with awkwar
- Words starting with awkward