1 making you feel embarrassed:
There was an awkward silence. * I felt awkward because they obviously wanted to be alone.
2 difficult to deal with:
Don't ask awkward questions. * You've put me in an awkward position. * an awkward customer (= a person who is difficult to deal with) * Please don't be awkward about letting him come. * It makes things awkward for everyone when you behave like that.
3 not convenient:
Have I come at an awkward time?
4 difficult or dangerous because of its shape or design:
This box is very awkward for one person to carry. * This tool will reach into awkward corners, such as under kitchen units.
5 not graceful; not comfortable:
He tried to dance, but he was too clumsy and awkward. * I must have slept in an awkward position-I'm aching all over.
awkwardly adverb:
'I'm sorry,' he said awkwardly. * She fell awkwardly and broke her ankle. * an awkwardly shaped room
awkwardness noun [U]:
She laughed to cover up her feeling of awkwardness. * There was no awkwardness between them.
