awkward
An awkward moment is when someone does or says something that feels uncomfortable for others. You might experience an awkward situation with a friend who doesn't understand your joke.
When we use the word "awkward," it usually means there's some kind of tension or embarrassment around. We often talk about awkward situations at parties, like bumping into someone you don't know well and not knowing how to break the ice. It can also be when someone does something that doesn't seem right in a certain situation - maybe they're being too loud or interrupting others.
How common is "awkward"?
Word awkward is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
adjective
Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.
Example: John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve.
Real examples of "awkward" in context
