awkward English · revision 1622

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɔːk.wəd/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɔk.wɚd/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|awkeward|t=in the wrong direction]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) from ''awke'' “turned the wrong way, backhanded”^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) and the suffix [[-ward]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995) ''Awk'' is [[der|non|ǫfugr|t=turned the wrong way, backward]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU) It is related to Old High German ''abuh'' “turned the wrong way”.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adverb, in the wrong direction, upside down or backward (mid-14th century).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The original sense of direction is obsolete.^(Etymonline) As an adjective the word meant “turned the wrong way” (1513),^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) then “perverse” or “adverse”,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and from 1530 “clumsy”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The sense of being embarrassed or ill at ease is recorded from 1713.^(Etymonline) The old word ''awk'' was obsolete by the 1600s.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – adverb, backward or the wrong way.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1513 – adjective, turned the wrong way.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1530 – perverse in conduct; clumsy.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1587 – unfavourable or adverse, now obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1713 – embarrassed, ill at ease.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Lacking [[grace]] in movement or form; [[ungainly]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Lacking skill with the hands; [[clumsy]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Hard to handle or manage.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # Causing or feeling [[embarrassment]]; lacking social ease.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Calling for tact or care; delicate.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[awkwardly]]

+ * [[awkwardness]]

+ * [[awkward age]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary compares ''awkward'', ''clumsy'', ''maladroit'', ''inept'', ''gauche'' and ''ungainly'', all meaning lacking grace or skill.^(AHD) ''Awkward'' and ''clumsy'' are the most general and stress a lack of physical dexterity, though both can also suggest embarrassment.^(AHD) By contrast, ''maladroit'' implies tactlessness, ''inept'' inappropriate words or actions, ''gauche'' a lack of social polish, and ''ungainly'' a visible lack of grace.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}