C1 adjective Neutro

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.

Exemplos

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.

Família de palavras

Substantivo
awkwardness
Advérbio
awkwardly
Adjetivo
awkward
Relacionado
gawkiness
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Dica de memorização

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.

Correto!

A resposta correta é: awkward

Exemplos

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.

Família de palavras

Substantivo
awkwardness
Advérbio
awkwardly
Adjetivo
awkward
Relacionado
gawkiness

Colocações comuns

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 Comuns

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

Frequentemente confundido com

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.

⚠️

Erros comuns

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.

💡

Dica de memorização

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

📖

Origem da palavra

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

Padrões gramaticais

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.

Correto!

A resposta correta é: awkward

Palavras relacionadas

alienation

B2

Alienation refers to the state of feeling isolated or excluded from a group, society, or even oneself. It describes a sense of emotional distance where an individual feels they do not belong or have no connection to their environment.

alignment

B2

Alignment refers to the process or state of arranging parts into a straight line or into their correct relative positions. Metaphorically, it describes the state of agreement or cooperation between different groups, goals, or ideas.

alimentary

B2

Relating to nourishment or the organs of digestion in the body. It is most frequently used in medical and biological contexts to describe the path food takes through an organism.

alkaline

B2

Alkaline describes a chemical substance that has a pH level greater than 7, which is the opposite of being acidic. It is often used to describe soil, water, or solutions that can neutralize acids.

allegation

B2

A formal claim or statement that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof. It is widely used in legal and journalistic contexts to describe accusations that have not yet been verified by a court of law.

allergy

B2

A medical condition in which the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance, such as pollen, pet dander, or food. This reaction can cause various symptoms like sneezing, itching, or swelling, ranging from mild irritation to life-threatening emergencies.

alleviation

B2

The action or process of making suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe or more bearable. It refers to the partial improvement of a negative situation rather than a complete cure or solution.

allied

B2

To be joined or connected in a cooperative relationship, typically for a common political, military, or professional goal. It describes entities that have formed an alliance to increase their collective strength or achieve a shared objective.

allocation

B2

The process of giving out or distributing something, especially resources like money, time, or space, for a specific purpose. It refers both to the act of assigning these resources and the specific amount or share that has been assigned.

allotment

B2

To assign or distribute a specific portion of something, such as time, money, or tasks, to a person or for a particular purpose. It implies a formal or structured division based on a planned share or quota.

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