awk‧ward S3 / ɔkwəd $ ɒkwərd / 形容词

1 making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say 同义词 difficult :

I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions .

There was an awkward moment when she didn’t know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek.

an awkward silence

A laugh can help people over an awkward situation.

Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (= made it difficult for her to know what to do ) .

2 not relaxed or comfortable :

She liked to dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her.

Geoff looked uneasy and awkward.

Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.

3 difficult to do, use, or deal with :

It’ll be awkward getting cars in and out.

The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage.

A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space.

She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.

4 not convenient :

I’m sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won’t keep you a minute.

5 an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful 同义词 difficult

awkward about

The staff wanted to go home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late.

an awkward customer (= person who is difficult and unhelpful )

— awkwardly 副词 :

‘I’m very sorry about your sister,’ he said awkwardly.

Vera smiled awkwardly.

— awkwardness 名词 [不可数名词] :

He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.