awkward
adj.adj. causing a feeling of embarrassment or discomfort. You might feel this way when you do not know what to say or when a situation is difficult to handle.
adj. causing or characterised by physical or social discomfort, embarrassment, or difficulty. Often describes situations lacking social grace or objects that are difficult to use due to their shape or design.
There was an awkward silence after he told the joke.
The meeting felt awkward because nobody wanted to discuss the recent budget cuts.
Navigating the narrow corridor with such an awkward piece of furniture required significant coordination and several pauses to adjust their grip.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *h₃ekʷ- Proto-Indo-European *h₂époh₃kʷos Proto-Germanic *abuhaz Old Norse ǫfugrder. Middle English awke English awk Proto-Indo-European *wert-der. Proto-Germanic *wardaz Old English -weard English -ward English awkward From awk (“odd, clumsy”) + -ward. Compare Middle English aukeward (“in the wrong direction”).
Commonly modifies abstract nouns like 'silence', 'pause', or 'situation', as well as physical movements.
I feel awkwardly in this suitI feel awkward in this suitAfter linking verbs like 'feel', 'look', or 'seem', use the adjective 'awkward' rather than the adverb 'awkwardly'.