[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/awkward/)

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# awkward

adjective (awkward, more awkward, most awkward)

«awkward» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Awkward means uncomfortable or embarrassing, when you don't know what to say or do. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#m1)
2. Awkward means clumsy, moving in a way that is not smooth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#m2)
3. Awkward means hard to use, carry or deal with, because of its shape or situation. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#m3)
4. An awkward person is hard to get along with. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#m4)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and in feelings lessons, children talk about awkward moments, like meeting someone new or a long silence. In stories, awkward shows embarrassment or clumsiness. Phrases: an awkward silence, feel awkward, an awkward shape, awkward to carry.

### Examples

- There was an awkward silence after the joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x1)
- I felt awkward when I forgot her name. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x2)
- The box was an awkward shape to carry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x3)
- The baby giraffe took awkward steps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x4)
- It is awkward to write with your other hand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x5)
- Meeting new people can feel awkward at first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x6)
- Sorry, it's an awkward time; can you call back later? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x7)
- He gave an awkward little wave. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x8)
- That seemed to be everything, and an awkward pause followed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/#x9)

### Note

Spelling trap: awkward has two w's: a-w-k-w-a-r-d. Adverb: awkwardly; noun: awkwardness. Use an: an awkward moment. Feeling awkward is normal and passes; a kind smile helps.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «awkward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/awkward/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«awkward» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/awkward.html) on Mova free.