Definition

awk⋅ward

/ˈɔkwərd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [awk-werd] Show IPA –adjective

1. lacking skill or dexterity; clumsy.

2. lacking grace or ease in movement: an awkward gesture; an awkward dancer.

3. lacking social graces or manners: a simple, awkward frontiersman.

4. not well planned or designed for easy or effective use: an awkward instrument; an awkward method.

5. requiring caution; somewhat hazardous; dangerous: an awkward turn in the road.

6. hard to deal with; difficult; requiring skill, tact, or the like: an awkward situation; an awkward customer.

7. embarrassing or inconvenient; caused by lack of social grace: an awkward moment

8. Obsolete. untoward; perverse.

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Origin:
1300–50; ME, equiv. to awk(e), auk(e) backhanded, OE *afoc (< ON ǫfugr turned the wrong way; c. OS, OHG abuh, OE afu(h)lic wrong, off ) + -ward -ward