Awkward meaning

What does “awkward” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“awkward” is an adjective with 6 meanings. Its most common meaning is: causing inconvenience.

awkward

causing inconvenience
“they arrived at an awkward time”
lacking grace or skill in manner or movement or performance
“an awkward dancer”
“an awkward gesture”
Oppositesgraceful
difficult to handle or manage especially because of shape
“an awkward bundle to carry”
“a load of bunglesome paraphernalia”
Synonymsbunglesome clumsy ungainly
not elegant or graceful in expression
“an awkward prose style”
“a clumsy apology”
Synonymsclumsy cumbersome inapt inept ill-chosen
hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
“awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion”
“an awkward pause followed his remark”
Synonymsembarrassing sticky unenviable
socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner
“awkward and reserved at parties”
“ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know”
Synonymsill at ease uneasy

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University