awkward
Translation
awkward, clumsy, embarrassing, difficult
Examples
There was an awkward silence in the room.
There was an awkward silence in the room.
He asked an awkward question about my salary.
He asked an awkward question about my salary.
He is a bit awkward with his movements.
He is a bit awkward with his movements.
Grammar Patterns
an awkward ((noun)) an embarrassing (noun) It was an awkward situation.
to feel awkward to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable I felt awkward at the party.
it is awkward for ((sb.)) to-inf it is difficult for (sb.) to do (sth.) It was awkward for him to say no.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Middle English 'awk' (wrong, backhanded) + '-ward' (direction). Originally meant 'turned the wrong way'.
Memory Tips
Picture someone trying to walk backward ('-ward') in a strange ('awk') way – that's clumsy and awkward.