awkward
Translation
awkward, clumsy, embarrassing, difficult
Examples
There was an awkward silence.
There was an awkward silence.
He is a bit awkward in social situations.
He is a bit awkward in social situations.
The tool has an awkward shape.
The tool has an awkward shape.
Grammar Patterns
an awkward ((noun)) an embarrassing or difficult (noun) There was an awkward silence.
to feel awkward to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable She felt awkward at the party.
Similar Words
Synonyms: clumsy, embarrassing, difficult, ungainly; Antonyms: graceful, skillful, easy
Etymology
From Old Norse 'afugr' (turned the wrong way), related to 'awk' (backhanded, wrong) + '-ward'. Literally, 'in a wrong direction'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a bird trying to walk 'backwards'—it would look very 'awkward'. The sound similarity between 'awk' and 'back' can be a helpful link.