AWKWARD • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Awkward

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/ˈɑkwərd/ /ˈɔkwərd/ Listen

adjective

Awkward adj.

Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy. "And dropped an awkward courtesy."

Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing. "A long and awkward process." "An awkward affair is one that has gone wrong, and is difficult to adjust."

Perverse; adverse; untoward. (Obs.) "Awkward casualties." "Awkward wind." "O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel."

Synonyms: Ungainly; unhandy; clownish; lubberly; gawky; maladroit; bungling; inelegant; ungraceful; unbecoming. Awkward, Clumsy, Uncouth. Awkward has a special reference to outward deportment. A man is clumsy in his whole person, he is awkward in his gait and the movement of his limbs. Clumsiness is seen at the first view. Awkwardness is discovered only when a person begins to move. Hence the expressions, a clumsy appearance, and an awkward manner. When we speak figuratively of an awkward excuse, we think of a lack of ease and grace in making it; when we speak of a clumsy excuse, we think of the whole thing as coarse and stupid. We apply the term uncouth most frequently to that which results from the lack of instruction or training; as, uncouth manners; uncouth language.

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Etymology of 'Awkward'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Awkward" Quotes from Famous Books

... he took the liberty to ask the people, who rowed him, when he should arrive at the amber-dropping trees: but it was with some difficulty that he could make them understand what he meant. He then explained to them the story of Phaethon: how he borrowed the chariot of the Sun; and being an awkward charioteer, tumbled headlong into the Eridanus: that his sisters pined away with grief; and at last were transformed to trees, the same of which he had just spoken: and he assured them, that these trees were to ...

— A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume II. (of VI.) • Jacob Bryant

... new books, a task she never remitted to her maid, and while her young visitor sat there she went through the greater part of a volume with the paper-knife. She didn't proceed very fast—there was a kind of patient, awkward fumbling of her aged hands; but as she passed her knife into the last leaf she said abruptly—'And how is your sister going on? She's very light!' Lady Davenant added before Laura had ...

— A London Life; The Patagonia; The Liar; Mrs. Temperly • Henry James

... amiable house, and Baron took his way homeward along the King's Road. There was a new amusement for him, a fresher bustle, in a London walk in the morning; these were hours that he habitually spent at his table, in the awkward attitude engendered by the poor piece of furniture, one of the rickety features of Mrs. Bundy's second floor, which had to serve as his altar of literary sacrifice. If by exception he went out when the day was young he noticed that life ...

— Sir Dominick Ferrand • Henry James

... Jean, "it's absurd of you to talk like that. As if you didn't know that you are infinitely more attractive than any young girl. I never know why people talk so much about youth. What does being young matter if you're awkward and dull and shy as well? I'd far ...

— Penny Plain • Anna Buchan (writing as O. Douglas)

... attacked at the same place by Commandant L. Wessels. Several of the enemy's horses were shot down, while a number of men were wounded. So suddenly had they to turn back, that many a helmet dropped down and the owner had no inclination to pick it up. The English had fallen once more into an awkward trap from which they had to extricate themselves ...

— In the Shadow of Death • P. H. Kritzinger and R. D. McDonald

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