# awkward

/ˈɑkwɝd/ (US) · /ˈɔːkwəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/awkward
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. socially uncomfortable

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling embarrassed or not knowing what to say in a social situation.

For teachers: characterised by social discomfort, embarrassment, or a lack of social grace.

- There was an awkward silence after he told a joke that nobody understood.
- The dinner party became increasingly awkward when the host and hostess began a heated argument in front of their guests.

### 2. difficult to handle

adjective · CEFR B2

hard to use, move, or deal with because of its shape or size.

For teachers: difficult to use, manage, or manipulate due to physical shape, weight, or logistical complexity.

- It was an awkward box to carry up the stairs because it had no handles.
- The piano proved to be an awkward piece of furniture to move, requiring three people just to navigate the narrow hallway.

### 3. clumsy movement

adjective · CEFR B2

moving in a way that is not smooth or graceful.

For teachers: lacking physical coordination or grace in movement or posture.

- The young bird made an awkward attempt to fly for the first time.
- He felt awkward and self-conscious on the dance floor, convinced that his movements were stiff compared to the others.

### 4. inconvenient

adjective · CEFR B2

happening at a time or in a way that causes problems.

For teachers: causing difficulty or inconvenience; ill-timed.

- I'm sorry to call at such an awkward hour, but I really need your help.
- The meeting was scheduled at an awkward time, forcing several department heads to cancel their existing appointments.

## Examples

- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.