— awkwardly , adv. — awkwardness , n.
/awk"weuhrd/ , adj.
1. lacking skill or dexterity; clumsy.
2. lacking grace or ease in movement: an awkward gesture; an awkward dancer.
3. lacking social graces or manners: a simple, awkward frontiersman.
4. not well planned or designed for easy or effective use: an awkward instrument; an awkward method.
5. requiring caution; somewhat hazardous; dangerous: an awkward turn in the road.
6. hard to deal with; difficult; requiring skill, tact, or the like: an awkward situation; an awkward customer.
7. embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace: an awkward moment
8. Obs. untoward; perverse.
[ 1300-50; ME, equiv. to awk ( e ), auk ( e ) backhanded, OE * afoc ( ofugr turned the wrong way; c. OS, OHG abuh, OE afu ( h ) lic wrong, OFF) + -ward -WARD ]
Syn. 1. unskillful, unhandy, inexpert.
Ant. 1. deft, adroit. 2. graceful.