Words / B2

ORKW-uh-d/ˈɔːkwəd/

Awkward means making you feel embarrassed, or difficult to deal with or use: an awkward silence, an awkward question, an awkward bag to carry. Embarrassing is close for the first; clumsy is close for movement; inconvenient is close for situations. Awkwardly is the adverb. In speech, a bit embarrassing or difficult is enough. Do not use it as a synonym for shy in every case — shy is a longer trait; awkward is the moment or the fit.

Meaning

Making you feel embarrassed, or difficult to deal with or use.

Examples

• “There was an awkward silence after the question.”
• “There was an awkward pause when both guests arrived at once.”
• “The handle is awkward if you have small hands.”

Good to know

Embarrassing, clumsy, or hard to handle. Everyday: embarrassing / clumsy. Contrast: shy (a trait). Adverb: awkwardly.

Near in meaning

embarrassing

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