/'ɔ:kwəd; `ɔkwɚd/
adj
1 badly designed; difficult to use 设计不当的; 使用不便的; 别扭的
*The handle of this teapot has an awkward shape. 这茶壶把儿的形状真别扭.
* It's an awkward door you have to bend down to go through it. 这扇门很不方便--得弯着腰才能过去.
2 causing difficulty, embarrassment or inconvenience 造成困难, 尴尬或不便的
*an awkward series of bends in the road 路上一连串难走的弯
* You've put me in a very awkward position. 你把我弄得很狼狈.
* Please arrange the next meeting at a less awkward time. 请把下次会议时间安排得方便些.
* It's very awkward of you not to play for the team tomorrow. 你明天不为本队参加比赛可太不像话了.
* Stop being so awkward! 别这么别别扭扭的!
3 lacking skill or grace; clumsy 无技巧的; 不熟练的; 不灵活的; 笨拙的
*Swans are surprisingly awkward on land. 天鹅在陆地上笨得出奇.
* I was always an awkward dancer. 我跳舞一向是笨手笨脚的.
4 embarrassed 尴尬的; 难为情的; 不好意思的; 狼狈的
*I realized they wanted to be alone together so I felt very awkward. 我意识到了他们想要单独在一起, 所以觉得很尴尬.
5 (idm 习语) the `awkward age period of adolescence when young people lack confidence and have difficulty preparing for adult life 尴尬年龄（青春期的一段时期, 青少年在此期间缺乏自信心, 难以适应成人生活）. an ,awkward `customer person or animal that is difficult or dangerous to deal with 难对付的家伙（难以应付的或危险的人或动物）.

adj
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: awk 'turned the wrong way' (15-17 centuries) (from Old Norse öfugr) + -ward]
making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say
= difficult
　I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions .
　There was an awkward moment when she didn't know whether to shake his hand or kiss his cheek.
　an awkward silence
　A laugh can help people over an awkward situation.
　Philip's remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do) .
not relaxed or comfortable
　She liked to dance but felt awkward if someone was watching her.
　Geoff looked uneasy and awkward.
　Make sure that the baby is not sleeping in an awkward position.
difficult to do, use, or deal with
　It'll be awkward getting cars in and out.
　The new financial arrangements were awkward to manage.
　A good carpenter can make a cupboard to fit the most awkward space.
　She was afraid he was going to ask an awkward question.
not convenient
　I'm sorry to call at such an awkward time but I won't keep you a minute.
an awkward person is deliberately unhelpful
= difficultawkward about
　The staff wanted to go home and they were getting awkward about a meeting starting so late.
　an awkward customer (=person who is difficult and unhelpful)
>awkwardlyadv
　'I'm very sorry about your sister,' he said awkwardly.
　Vera smiled awkwardly.
>awkwardnessn[U]
　He tried to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.