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awkward

Syllabification: (awk·ward)
Pronunciation: /ˈôkwərd/

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Definition of awkward

adjective

  • 1causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with:one of the most awkward jobs is painting a ceiling some awkward questions the wheelbarrow can be awkward to maneuver
  • deliberately unreasonable or uncooperative:you’re being damned awkward!
  • 2causing or feeling embarrassment or inconvenience:he had put her in a very awkward situation
  • 3not smooth or graceful; ungainly:Luther’s awkward movements impeded his progress she was long-legged and rather awkward
  • uncomfortable or abnormal:make sure the baby isn’t sleeping in an awkward position

Derivatives

awkwardly

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'the wrong way around, upside down'): from dialect awk 'backward, perverse, clumsy' (from Old Norse afugr 'turned the wrong way') + -ward

awkward in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of awkward in the British & World English dictionary