C1 adjective Neutral

awkward

/ˈɔːkwərd/

Describes a situation, person, or movement that is clumsy, uncomfortable, or embarrassing. It often refers to social situations lacking ease or objects that are difficult to handle due to their shape or size.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

There was an awkward silence after he made the inappropriate comment during dinner.

There was an uncomfortable and embarrassing period of no talking after his comment.

2

The diplomat found himself in an awkward position when the two leaders refused to shake hands.

The official was in a difficult and embarrassing situation regarding the leaders' refusal.

3

It was so awkward bumping into my ex-boyfriend at the gym yesterday.

It was very uncomfortable and socially clumsy meeting my former partner unexpectedly.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
awkwardness
Adverbio
awkwardly
Adjetivo
awkward
Relacionado
gawkiness
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Truco para recordar

The 'awk' sound is like a bird (an Auk) trying to walk on land—it looks very 'awkward' and lacks grace.

Quiz rápido

The heavy, circular table was very ________ to move through the narrow doorway.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: awkward

Ejemplos

1

There was an awkward silence after he made the inappropriate comment during dinner.

everyday

There was an uncomfortable and embarrassing period of no talking after his comment.

2

The diplomat found himself in an awkward position when the two leaders refused to shake hands.

formal

The official was in a difficult and embarrassing situation regarding the leaders' refusal.

3

It was so awkward bumping into my ex-boyfriend at the gym yesterday.

informal

It was very uncomfortable and socially clumsy meeting my former partner unexpectedly.

4

The researcher noted that the apparatus was awkward to use, leading to slight variations in the data.

academic

The scientist observed that the equipment was difficult and clumsy to handle.

5

The timing of the merger announcement was awkward, coming just days before the CEO's retirement.

business

The scheduling of the news was inconvenient and caused social or professional discomfort.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
awkwardness
Adverbio
awkwardly
Adjetivo
awkward
Relacionado
gawkiness

Colocaciones comunes

awkward silence a period of silence that feels uncomfortable
awkward phase a period of time, usually in adolescence, characterized by lack of grace
awkward timing when something happens at an inconvenient or poorly chosen moment
awkward question a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer
awkward movement a physical motion that lacks coordination or flow

Frases Comunes

an awkward customer

a person who is difficult to deal with or uncooperative

in an awkward spot

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

the awkward squad

a group of people who are difficult to manage or organize

Se confunde a menudo con

awkward vs clumsy

'Clumsy' usually refers specifically to physical lack of coordination, while 'awkward' applies to both physical movements and social situations.

awkward vs inconvenient

'Inconvenient' refers to something that causes trouble or extra work, while 'awkward' implies a sense of embarrassment or lack of grace.

📝

Notas de uso

Use 'awkward' to describe feelings of social discomfort or to describe objects that are physically hard to manage because of their shape. It is a versatile word that covers both social and physical domains.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often use 'awkward' to mean 'difficult' in a general sense (e.g., 'an awkward exam'), but it should specifically imply difficulty caused by clumsiness, lack of social ease, or poor design.

💡

Truco para recordar

The 'awk' sound is like a bird (an Auk) trying to walk on land—it looks very 'awkward' and lacks grace.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Middle English 'awk' (meaning 'turned the wrong way') and the suffix '-ward' (indicating direction).

Patrones gramaticales

Used as an adjective before a noun: 'an awkward moment' Used after linking verbs: 'He felt awkward' Followed by an infinitive: 'It is awkward to carry'
🌍

Contexto cultural

In many English-speaking cultures, especially British and American, 'awkwardness' is a common theme in comedy and social self-deprecation.

Quiz rápido

The heavy, circular table was very ________ to move through the narrow doorway.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: awkward

Palabras relacionadas

syngravent

C1

To formally reach a collective agreement or to consolidate disparate ideas into a singular, authoritative consensus through deliberation. It is typically used in academic or high-level professional contexts to describe the synthesis of various perspectives into a unified stance.

homoaltersion

C1

To systematically modify a component or individual within a group so that it aligns identically with the properties of its counterparts. It describes the act of enforcing homogeneity through specific, calculated adjustments to maintain structural consistency.

homogratacy

C1

To achieve a state of collective agreement or uniform satisfaction within a group by aligning interests or expressing mutual gratitude. It involves the process of harmonizing conflicting viewpoints into a single, mutually pleasing outcome.

multipatership

C1

Multipatership refers to the biological phenomenon where a single litter or brood of offspring is sired by more than one father. In sociology, it describes the state of a woman having children with multiple different partners, often referred to as multi-partnered fertility.

periluddom

C1

A noun referring to the state or environment of anticipation and ritualized preparation that occurs just before a competitive event, game, or performance. It encompasses the collective psychological atmosphere and physical activities shared by participants and spectators before the main action begins.

circummentcy

C1

The act or state of bypassing restrictions, rules, or obstacles through strategic maneuvering or the exploitation of loopholes. It refers specifically to the quality of being able to find indirect routes to achieve a goal while avoiding direct confrontation with a system.

adcedent

C1

Describing a person, entity, or state that is in the process of acceding to an existing agreement, treaty, or organization. It refers to the act of joining or consenting to be bound by terms previously established by others.

misvalness

C1

To incorrectly estimate or judge the intrinsic worth or significance of something, particularly by failing to recognize its true essence or state. It refers to the act of assigning a wrong value to an object or concept based on a misunderstanding of its fundamental nature.

homotactible

C1

Describing objects, surfaces, or body parts that are sensitive to touch in an identical way or occupy the same position in a tactile arrangement. It is a technical term used to compare sensory perception across different areas or specimens.

repatible

C1

To officially return a person, such as a refugee or prisoner of war, or an object like currency or cultural artifacts, to their country of origin. This verb is primarily used in legal, political, and financial contexts regarding international borders and national belonging.

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