Word
awkwardly
Phoneticsawk·ward·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔkwɝdɫi/
UK/ˈɔːkwədli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that is not smooth, comfortable, or natural. You use it when someone moves in a clumsy way or when a situation feels embarrassing.
adv. in a manner lacking grace, dexterity, or social ease. Often describes physical movement or social interactions that feel strained or uncoordinated.
Examples
“He stood awkwardly by the door, not knowing who to talk to.”
“The two former friends bumped into each other at the supermarket and chatted awkwardly for a few minutes.”
“The heavy wardrobe was shaped so strangely that the movers had to carry it awkwardly up the narrow staircase, pausing at every turn to adjust their grip.”
Examples
simple
“He stood awkwardly by the door, not knowing who to talk to.”
contextual
“The two former friends bumped into each other at the supermarket and chatted awkwardly for a few minutes.”
complex
“The heavy wardrobe was shaped so strangely that the movers had to carry it awkwardly up the narrow staircase, pausing at every turn to adjust their grip.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies or sits at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“Seen today, Schlingensief’s artistic vocabulary – messy B-movie horror, drag, disabled performers, a taste for the extreme – sits awkwardly with Namibia as a stage.” “All Wagoner can do is awkwardly laugh as he says, “Would you run – me by that one more time.”
Wagoner eventually recovers and the two cheerfully finish the song to applause.” “Socially, he finds himself awkwardly poised between classes.” Etymology
From awkward + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/awkwardly