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awkwardcausing difficulty; hard to do or deal with

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɔːkwərd/

Example Sentences

  • He gave an awkward wave to his ex-girlfriend across the street.
  • The job interview became awkward when I accidentally called the boss 'mom'.
  • She felt awkward wearing formal clothes to a casual party.

awkward

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈɔːkwərd/]

causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with

The first date turned awkward when both reached for the last fry at once.
💡 Concept

The first date turned awkward when both reached for the last fry at once.

From awkward backward stumbles to confident forward leaps!
🎵 Rhyme

From awkward backward stumbles to confident forward leaps!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɔːkwərd/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɔːkwəd/

🌳Etymology

Rootawk
Suffix--ward

Origin

From Old Norse 'awk' meaning 'turned the wrong way' or 'clumsy', combined with the English suffix '-ward' meaning 'direction' or 'manner'. The word originally described something positioned awkwardly or in an uncomfortable direction.

Breakdown

awk- (turned wrong way, clumsy) + -ward (direction/manner) = awkward

🎵Rhyme

backwardwestwardforward
backward
westward
forward

🔗Collocations

awkward situation
awkward moment
feel awkward
awkward silence
socially awkward
awkward position

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

He gave an awkward wave to his ex-girlfriend across the street.

😄 Fun example

The job interview became awkward when I accidentally called the boss 'mom'.

She felt awkward wearing formal clothes to a casual party.

😄 Fun example

It was awkward when both of us reached for the last piece of pizza.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

clumsyuncomfortableembarrassinguneasyinconvenient

Antonyms

gracefulcomfortablesmooth

Related

embarrassedclumsyuncomfortableweird

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