awkward

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "awkward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an uncomfortable situation or a person's behavior that is embarrassing or socially awkward. Example sentence: She felt particularly awkward when she realized she was wearing the same dress as her friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whichever view you take, multicultural and tolerant or disapproving and fearful, the awkward fact is that we have not been breeding fast enough (or young enough) to keep society functioning without outside help, let alone educating ourselves to the levels a post-industrial economy is going to need.

The Guardian

George's parents never actually spell out that they think he's gay (it's even hinted at one point they think he's got HIV) but the old cliches/truths of self-loathing, estrangement and awkward acceptance are lovingly played out within their cosy suburbia.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(The relationship started after the film was done, he says, adding that it would have been "very awkward" if it had been otherwise – then politely declaring that he will say no more about it).

The Guardian - Film

Over 30 years he became notorious within the prison system as a trouble maker, with the parole board ultimately declaring him a "fully paid up member of the awkward squad".

The Guardian

I might challenge a rival cold caller, making them sweat for their charity with awkward questions I know only too well.

The Guardian

To many people's surprise this awkward fusion has so far been a source of electoral strength – but it could spell break-up in the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mean big brothers, wimpy antics and awkward situations… You guessed it: this month's most read book on the Children's Books site is the "fantastic"and "side-splittingly funny" Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney!

The Guardian

The task was a big one and no one, least of all myself, can criticise the effort he and Alan [Cork, Adams's assistant] put in to turn around what was already an awkward season for us".

The Guardian - Sport

On previous election nights, Sawyer and Stephanopoulos had split anchoring duties, in a pairing that struck viewers as occasionally awkward, given Stephanopoulos' depth of expertise.

The Guardian

As the authors point out, "it seems strange to have a supernatural power that only allows you to get around by mimicking human ambulation… a very slow and awkward way of moving about in the scheme of things".

The Guardian

He's smart enough to manage even an awkward coalition".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awkward" to describe situations, moments, or interactions that cause discomfort or unease. It effectively conveys a sense of social difficulty or clumsiness.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "awkward" when describing uncomfortable situations. Explore synonyms like "uncomfortable", "embarrassing", or "delicate" to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "awkward" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something causing difficulty, unease, or embarrassment. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage, demonstrated by its frequent occurrence in diverse contexts. It can also function as a noun, but this is less common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awkward" is a versatile and commonly used adjective to describe situations, moments, or individuals causing discomfort or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts—particularly in news and media—underscore its reliability. While "awkward" is generally suitable, exploring synonyms like "uncomfortable" or "embarrassing" can enhance precision. This detailed analysis, incorporating linguistic insights, writing guidance, and example usages, offers a complete understanding of how to effectively employ "awkward" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomfortable

Focuses more on the feeling of unease or distress rather than the physical clumsiness or social difficulty.

embarrassing

Highlights the potential to cause shame or discomfort.

clumsy

Emphasizes a lack of physical coordination or grace, rather than social unease.

ungainly

Highlights a lack of grace or elegance in movement or posture.

ungraceful

Focuses on the lack of elegance or smoothness in movement or behavior.

maladroit

Implies a lack of skill or tact, often in social situations.

inept

Stresses a general lack of competence or skill.

difficult

Indicates something is challenging or troublesome to deal with.

troublesome

Emphasizes the problematic or burdensome nature of something.

sticky situation

Implies a difficult or delicate predicament.

FAQs

How can I use "awkward" in a sentence?

You can use "awkward" to describe a situation (e.g., "It was an awkward silence"), a person's behavior (e.g., "He felt awkward at the party"), or a physical action (e.g., "an awkward movement").

What are some synonyms for "awkward"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "uncomfortable", "clumsy", "embarrassing", or "ungainly".

Is it correct to say "awkwardly"?

Yes, "awkwardly" is the adverb form of "awkward" and is used to describe how something is done in an awkward manner (e.g., "He laughed awkwardly").

What's the difference between "awkward" and "inconvenient"?

"Awkward" refers to social unease or clumsiness, while "inconvenient" describes something causing trouble or difficulty in a practical sense. They are not interchangeable.