awk ‧ ward S3 /ˈɔːkwəd $ ˈɒːkwərd/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: awk 'turned the wrong way' (15-17 centuries) (from Old Norse öfugr ) + -ward ]
1 . making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say SYN difficult :
I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions.
There was an awkward moment when she didn’t know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek.
an awkward silence
A laugh can help people over an awkward situation.
Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do) .
2 . not relaxed or comfortable:
She liked to dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her.
Geoff looked uneasy and awkward.
Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.
3 . difficult to do, use, or deal with:
It’ll be awkward getting cars in and out.
The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage.
A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space.
She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.
4 . not convenient:
I’m sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won’t keep you a minute.
5 . an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful SYN difficult
awkward about
The staff wanted to go home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late.
an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)
—awkwardly adverb :
‘I’m very sorry about your sister,’ he said awkwardly.
Vera smiled awkwardly.
—awkwardness noun [uncountable] :
He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.