awkward
gb/ˈɔkwɚd/ us/ˈɔkwɚd/
A2
English
~ 1100
kínos, feszélyezett, ügyetlen, esetlen, nehézkes, kényelmetlen, körülményes
B1
1
kínos
B1
feszélyezett
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is awkward
There was an awkward silence after he made the comment.
Kínos csend támadt a megjegyzése után.
Meeting my ex at the party was pretty awkward.
Elég kínos volt összefutni az exemmel a buliban.
She gave an awkward laugh when she didn’t know how to respond.
It was awkward when nobody knew the answer.
I felt awkward sitting there without knowing anyone.
Learner examples
It was an awkward moment when I dropped my phone.
Kínos pillanat volt, amikor leejtettem a telefonomat.
I feel awkward when I meet new people.
Feszélyezve érzem magam, amikor új emberekkel találkozom.
There was an awkward pause in the talk.
He looked awkward after his mistake.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'awkward' with 'angry' because both can describe uncomfortable situations, but 'awkward' is about embarrassment, not anger.
Meaning
Causing social embarrassment
Collocations
awkward silence
|awkward moment
|awkward question
|feel awkward
|socially awkward
Synonyms
embarrassing (Focuses more on making someone feel self-conscious, whereas 'awkward' can also imply social clumsiness.)
Antonyms
comfortable (Describes a situation where people feel at ease and relaxed, opposite of awkward.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|relationships
Definition
Making people feel shy, uncomfortable, or embarrassed in a social situation.
Causing or feeling embarrassment, discomfort, or unease in a social context.
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is awkward
He made an awkward attempt to catch the ball.
Ügyetlenül próbálta elkapni a labdát.
The dancer felt awkward in the unfamiliar shoes.
A táncos esetlennek érezte magát a szokatlan cipőben.
Her awkward movements showed she was nervous.
It was an awkward climb up the steep hill.
Learner examples
He is awkward when he runs.
Ügyetlenül fut.
The chair is in an awkward place.
A szék szerencsétlen helyen van.
She made an awkward jump.
I feel awkward when I dance.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'awkward' instead of 'difficult' for tasks; this sense refers to physical movement, not difficulty in general.
Meaning
Lacking physical grace
Collocations
awkward movement
|awkward position
|awkward gait
|physically awkward
Synonyms
clumsy ('Clumsy' is slightly more informal and focuses entirely on physical movement.)
Antonyms
graceful (Describes smooth and elegant movement, the opposite of physically awkward.)
Themes
daily life
|sports
|body
|daily_life
Definition
Not moving in a smooth or easy way; clumsy.
Lacking skill, coordination, or physical elegance in movement or handling objects.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is awkward to [verb]
The box is too big and has an awkward shape.
A doboz túl nagy, és a formája miatt nehéz megfogni.
This tool is awkward to hold for long periods.
Ezt a szerszámot kényelmetlen hosszabb ideig fogni.
We had to move through an awkward narrow passage.
Learner examples
The table is heavy and awkward to move.
Az asztal nehéz, és körülményes mozgatni.
This bag is awkward to carry.
Ezt a táskát kényelmetlen cipelni.
The stairs are awkward for old people.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'strange'; here it means physically or practically difficult, not unusual.
Meaning
Difficult to deal with
Collocations
awkward shape
|awkward size
|awkward arrangement
Synonyms
inconvenient ('Inconvenient' focuses more on causing trouble or delay, while 'awkward' can also imply physical difficulty.)
Antonyms
convenient (Easy and suitable to use, opposite of awkward in this sense.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not easy to use, move, or handle; causing trouble or difficulty.
Difficult or inconvenient to manage, use, or deal with.
Grammar
Dictionary form
awkward
IPA
GB/ˈɔkwɚd/
US/ˈɔkwɚd/
Syllables & stress
awk - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (awk)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: awkward
Word family
Core family
awkwardly
adverb
awkwardness
noun
Expressions
awkward silence
1/ˈɔkwɚd sˈaɪləns/
fixed phrase
A pause that feels uncomfortable
A quiet time during talking that makes people feel uncomfortable.
Examples
- There was an awkward silence after she asked the question.
- An awkward silence fell over the room when he mentioned the accident.
make things awkward
1/mˈeɪk θˈɪŋz ˈɔkwɚd/
fixed phrase
Cause discomfort in a situation
To make a situation more uncomfortable or hard than before.
Examples
- Telling that secret will only make things awkward between them.
- He made things awkward by arriving late and unprepared.
socially awkward
1/sˈoʊʃəli ˈɔkwɚd/
fixed phrase
not comfortable with people
Not relaxed or confident with other people; often saying or doing the wrong thing in social situations.
Examples
- He's socially awkward and avoids parties.
- He’s brilliant at math but very socially awkward at parties.
- Being socially awkward makes dating harder for her.
- As a teenager, she was shy and socially awkward around boys.