AWKWARDNESS - 5 definitions found
awkwardness n 1: unskillfulness resulting from a lack of training [syn: awkwardness, clumsiness, ineptness, ineptitude, maladroitness, slowness] 2: the quality of an embarrassing situation; "he sensed the awkwardness of his proposal" [syn: awkwardness, nuisance value}] 3: the carriage of someone whose movements and posture are ungainly or inelegant [syn: awkwardness, clumsiness] [ant: gracefulness] 4: the inelegance of someone stiff and unrelaxed (as by embarrassment) [syn: awkwardness, clumsiness, gracelessness, stiffness] 5: trouble in carrying or managing caused by bulk or shape; "the movers cursed the unwieldiness of the big piano" [syn: awkwardness, cumbersomeness, unwieldiness] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003) awkwardness noun see awkward Handy Dictionary of Poetical Quotations Awkwardness Awkward, embarrassed, stiff, without the skill Of moving gracefully, or standing still, One leg, as if suspicious of his brother, Desirous seems to run away from t'other. CHURCHILL: Rosciad, Line 438. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) Awkward \Awk"ward\, a. [Awk + -ward.] 1. Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy. And dropped an awkward courtesy. --Dryden. 2. Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing. A long and awkward process. --Macaulay. An awkward affair is one that has gone wrong, and is difficult to adjust. --C. J. Smith. 3. Perverse; adverse; untoward. [Obs.] ``Awkward casualties.'' ``Awkward wind.'' --Shak. O blind guides, which being of an awkward religion, do strain out a gnat, and swallow up a cancel. --Udall. Syn: Ungainly; unhandy; clownish; lubberly; gawky; maladroit; bungling; inelegant; ungraceful; unbecoming. Usage: Awkward, Clumsy, Uncouth. 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 stupid. We apply the term uncouth most frequently to that which results from the want of instruction or training; as, uncouth manners; uncouth language. -- Awk"ward*ly, adv. -- Awk"ward*ness, n. |
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