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gawkyawkward and ungainly, especially due to being tall and thin

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: awkward and ungainly, especially due to being tall and thin

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡɔːki/

Example Sentences

  • The gawky flamingo tried to impress the lady birds but only managed to trip over its own legs.
  • Despite his gawky appearance, he became a graceful dancer after years of practice.
  • The gawky puppy kept stepping on its own ears while trying to chase its tail.

gawky

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈɡɔːki/]

awkward and ungainly, especially due to being tall and thin

The gawky teenager tripped over his own feet during the school dance.
💡 Concept

The gawky teenager tripped over his own feet during the school dance.

The gawky student gets talky with chalky hands!
🎵 Rhyme

The gawky student gets talky with chalky hands!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɡɔːki/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɡɔːki/

🌳Etymology

Rootgawk
Suffix--y

Origin

From the noun 'gawk' (to stare stupidly), which originated in the 17th century from uncertain origins, possibly related to dialectal or Scandinavian words meaning to gape or stare. The adjective 'gawky' was formed by adding the diminutive or adjectival suffix '-y' to create the meaning 'characterized by gawking behavior.'

Breakdown

gawk (to stare or behave clumsily) + -y (adjective-forming suffix meaning 'characterized by') = gawky

🎵Rhyme

talkychalkybalky
talky
chalky
balky

🔗Collocations

gawky teenager
gawky movements
gawky appearance
tall and gawky
gawky frame
look gawky

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The gawky flamingo tried to impress the lady birds but only managed to trip over its own legs.

Despite his gawky appearance, he became a graceful dancer after years of practice.

😄 Fun example

The gawky puppy kept stepping on its own ears while trying to chase its tail.

She felt gawky in her formal dress, unused to wearing high heels.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

awkwardclumsyungainlylankygangly

Antonyms

gracefulcoordinatedelegant

Related

gawkganglingadolescentungraceful

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