awkward

/ˈɔːkwəd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːkwərd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯ-kwərd/ (ame, mw)

awkward — adjective

1. hard to use, carry, or manage because of shape, position, or the care needed

1.形容詞B2
釋義

hard to use, carry, or manage because of shape, position, or the care needed

例句

The sofa was awkward to carry up the narrow stairs.

awkward to + verb

Because the tap sat behind the pipe, it was awkward to reach.

awkward to reach because of position

同義詞
  • difficult

    is broader and can describe any hard task, not only handling problems

  • tricky

    often suggests one small wrong move may cause trouble

  • cumbersome

    stresses size or weight that makes something slow to manage

  • unwieldy

    is stronger and more formal for things hard to control because of shape or size

反義詞
  • easy

    is the broad opposite for tasks with no special difficulty

  • handy

    suggests something is convenient and simple to use

  • manageable

    focuses on being possible to handle without much trouble

文法句型

awkward to use

awkward to carry

awkward to reach

at an awkward angle

用法筆記

Often used when the physical setup creates the problem, not simply when something is mentally hard. Distinguish from adjective/5, which focuses on a person's movement or posture rather than the task or object.

常見錯誤

❌The math test was awkward.
✅The math test was difficult.
💡this sense usually describes practical handling problems, not general mental difficulty.
❌The bag is awkward and heavy to carry.
✅The bag is heavy and awkward to carry.
💡awkward commonly stays close to the infinitive phrase that shows the handling problem.

2. creating a situation that feels uncomfortable, inconvenient, or likely to embarr

2.形容詞B2
釋義

creating a situation that feels uncomfortable, inconvenient, or likely to embarrass people

例句

After Nora mentioned the divorce, an awkward silence filled the car.

collocation: awkward silence

The double cake surprise made the welcome party awkward.

make + event + awkward

同義詞
  • embarrassing

    focuses more directly on shame or loss of face

  • uncomfortable

    is broader and may describe physical or emotional unease

  • delicate

    suggests a situation needs care because it may upset people

  • inconvenient

    fits timing or arrangements better than social moments

反義詞
  • smooth

    suggests that events happen without problems or tension

  • comfortable

    focuses on ease and lack of social strain

  • convenient

    is the best opposite when time or arrangement is the issue

文法句型

awkward silence

awkward question

awkward moment

awkward time

用法筆記

Usually describes a moment, question, silence, or arrangement rather than a person's inner feeling. Distinguish from adjective/3, which is about feeling awkward yourself.

常見錯誤

❌I was awkward when I broke the glass.
✅It was awkward when I broke the glass.' / 'I felt awkward after I broke the glass.
💡use this sense for the situation, not the person's feeling.
❌The bus was awkward, so I missed it.
✅The bus time was awkward, so I missed it.
💡this sense often needs a situation noun such as time, question, or silence.

3. feeling unsure or nervous, especially because you do not know how to act with ot

3.形容詞C2
釋義

feeling unsure or nervous, especially because you do not know how to act with other people

例句

At the party, Leo felt awkward around his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend.

feel awkward around + person

In the video call, Ava sounded awkward with her new teammates.

awkward with + people

同義詞
  • uneasy

    suggests discomfort but not always social embarrassment

  • self-conscious

    stresses being too aware of yourself and how others see you

  • shy

    can be a more general personality trait, not only a momentary feeling

  • uncomfortable

    is broader and may describe physical feelings as well

反義詞
  • relaxed

    suggests calm comfort in the situation

  • confident

    shows social assurance and ease

  • at ease

    directly describes feeling natural and comfortable with others

文法句型

feel awkward around someone

feel awkward about something

look awkward with strangers

be awkward with people

用法筆記

Common after feel, look, sound, or become. Often followed by with, around, or about to show who or what causes the unease. Distinguish from adjective/2, where the event itself is awkward.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was awkward because I knew nobody.
✅I felt awkward at the meeting because I knew nobody.
💡this sense describes the person's feeling, not the event.
❌I am awkward to speak English with new people.
✅I feel awkward speaking English with new people.
💡use a linking verb such as feel with this sense.

4. deliberately making things harder by refusing to help, agree, or act in a simple

4.形容詞
釋義

deliberately making things harder by refusing to help, agree, or act in a simple way

例句

Tom was awkward and would not lend us the ladder.

be awkward and refuse help

Don't be awkward and refuse to text Dad your address again.

informal command: don't be awkward

同義詞
  • uncooperative

    is the clearest neutral equivalent

  • difficult

    is broader and may describe behavior, not only refusal to help

  • obstructive

    sounds more formal and suggests active resistance

  • stubborn

    focuses on refusing to change your mind, not always on blocking help

反義詞
  • helpful

    means willing to make things easier

  • cooperative

    shows readiness to work with others

  • reasonable

    suggests acting in a fair and practical way

文法句型

be awkward about something

get awkward over something

don't be awkward

用法筆記

Mostly heard in everyday spoken English when someone could easily help or agree but chooses not to. Often followed by about or over to name the point of disagreement.

常見錯誤

❌The printer is awkward today.
✅The printer is awkward to use today.' / 'Tom is being awkward today.
💡this sense is for a person who will not cooperate, not for an object.
❌My brother is awkward because he is shy.
✅My brother is awkward because he refuses to help.' / 'My brother feels awkward because he is shy.
💡do not confuse this sense with adjective/3.

5. moving or holding your body in a stiff, unrelaxed, or unattractive way

5.形容詞
釋義

moving or holding your body in a stiff, unrelaxed, or unattractive way

例句

After the ankle injury, Rosa walked with an awkward step.

awkward + movement noun

In the school play, Evan looked awkward in the robot costume.

look awkward in movement or posture

同義詞
  • clumsy

    is the nearest everyday word for movement lacking control or grace

  • stiff

    focuses on tight or restricted movement

  • ungainly

    is more formal and often suggests an unattractive shape or motion

  • wooden

    suggests movement with little natural expression

反義詞
  • graceful

    suggests smooth and attractive movement

  • smooth

    focuses on easy movement without jerks

  • agile

    adds speed and control as well as ease

文法句型

awkward step

awkward movement

look awkward

feel awkward on skates

用法筆記

Usually describes a walk, posture, turn, or body position. Unlike adjective/1, the focus is not on handling an object but on the way a person or animal moves or looks while moving.

常見錯誤

❌The door looked awkward when I opened it.
✅The door was awkward to open.' / 'I looked awkward when I opened the door.
💡use this sense for a person's movement, not for an object that is hard to handle.