awry

IPA/əˈraɪ/
KK[ɚˈaɪ]IPA/əˈraɪ/

awry — adjective

  • awrypositive
  • awriercomparative
  • awriestsuperlative

1. happening in a way that is different from what was intended or expected, especia

1.形容詞B2
釋義

happening in a way that is different from what was intended or expected, especially when this causes problems or failure

例句

The school's outdoor sports day went awry when a sudden storm hit the field.

collocation: go awry

Hamza's surprise party plans went awry when the birthday girl arrived early.

同義詞
  • wrong

    more general and can apply to people; 'awry' emphasises that something was planned or expected to go differently

  • amiss

    suggests something is not right but often less dramatic; 'awry' implies a clearer deviation from a plan

  • off-course

    literal or figurative deviation from a planned direction; similar to 'awry' but more common in formal contexts

反義詞
  • right

    general opposite; 'going right' means succeeding as planned

  • on track

    specific opposite for plans progressing as intended

文法句型

go awry

send something awry

be awry

用法筆記

Frequently used after the verb 'go'. This sense describes situations, plans, or events — not a person's own actions. Use 'go wrong' if the subject is a person (compare: 'I went wrong' vs. 'My plans went awry').

常見錯誤

❌She made an awry decision.
✅Her decision went awry.
💡'awry' cannot be placed before a noun; it always follows a linking verb like 'go' or 'be'.
❌I went awry when I missed the bus.
✅My morning went awry when I missed the bus.
💡'awry' describes situations or events, not a person's own actions.

2. not in the correct or straight position; turned or twisted to one side — used ab

2.形容詞B2
釋義

not in the correct or straight position; turned or twisted to one side — used about items of clothing, hair, objects on a wall or surface

例句

Putri noticed her necklace was awry, with the clasp sitting near her shoulder.

pattern: be awry (physical position)

A strong gust of wind blew the garden chairs awry across the patio.

同義詞
  • askew

    very close in meaning; 'askew' can be used both before and after a noun ('an askew tie', 'the tie was askew'), while 'awry' is predicative only

  • crooked

    describes a permanent or intentional bend; 'awry' suggests something should be straight but is not

  • lopsided

    specifically means one side is lower than the other; narrower than 'awry'

反義詞
  • straight

    direct opposite; the correct alignment

  • aligned

    formal opposite; positioned correctly in relation to something else

文法句型

be awry

hang awry

sit awry

用法筆記

Describes visible physical misalignment — unlike sense 1 (NOT AS PLANNED), which describes failed plans or events. Common with clothing (tie, hat, collar), hair, or objects on walls (picture, painting).

常見錯誤

❌The awry picture needs straightening.
✅The picture is awry and needs straightening.
💡'awry' is predicative, so it must follow a verb like 'be', 'hang', or 'sit' rather than standing before a noun.