Awk'ward, a.
a. [From awk and ward, q. v.]
- Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; unready; not dextrous; without skill; bungling; clumsy. “So true that he was awkward at a trick.” Dryden.
- Ungraceful in manner; inelegant; unpolite. “An awkward courtesy.” Dryden.
And with ridiculous and awkward action He pageants us. Shak. 3. Unfavorable; untoward; adverse; unfortunate. [obs.] “Awkward casualties.” Shak. “Awkward winds.” Drayton. O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a camel. Udal. Syn. — AWKWARD, CLUMSY, UNCOUTH. Clumsy is connected with clump or lumpish, and denotes the quality of heaviness, and unseemliness. This shows itself in the whole exterior of the thing in question. Awkward has a special reference to outward deportment. A man is clumsy in his whole person, he is awkward in his gait and the movement of his limbs. Clumsiness is seen at the first view. Awkwardness is discovered only when a person begins to move. Hence the expressions, a clumsy appearance, and an awkward manner. When we speak figuratively of an awkward excuse, we think of a want of ease and grace in making it; when we speak of a clumsy excuse, we think of the whole thing as coarse and lumpish. We apply the term uncouth most frequently to that which results from the want of instruction or training; as, uncouth manners, uncouth language.