Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - awkward

1. An awkward situation is embarrassing and difficult to deal with. I was the first to ask him awkward questions but there’ll be harder ones to come... There was an awkward moment as couples decided whether to stand next to their partners. = tricky ADJ • awkwardly There was an awkwardly long silence. ADV: ADV adj/-ed 2. Something that is awkward to use or carry is difficult to use or carry because of its design. A job that is awkward is difficult to do. It was small but heavy enough to make it awkward to carry... Full-size tripods can be awkward, especially if you’re shooting a low-level subject. = tricky ADJ: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ to-inf • awkwardly The autoexposure button is awkwardly placed under the lens release button. ADV: ADV -ed 3. An awkward movement or position is uncomfortable or clumsy. Amy made an awkward gesture with her hands. ADJ • awkwardly He fell awkwardly and went down in agony clutching his right knee... ADV: ADV with v 4. Someone who feels awkward behaves in a shy or embarrassed way. Women frequently say that they feel awkward taking the initiative in sex... = uncomfortable ADJ • awkwardly ‘This is Malcolm,’ the girl said awkwardly, to fill the silence. ADV: ADV with v 5. If you say that someone is awkward, you are critical of them because you find them unreasonable and difficult to live with or deal with. She’s got to an age where she is being awkward. ADJ c darkgreen]disapproval