好词典

awkward

UK //ˈɔːkwəd//US //ˈɑːkwərd//

词源

源自中古英语 awkeward,由 awk(错误的、笨拙的)和 -ward(方向后缀)组成,最初指方向或动作的笨拙。

adjective

❶ 形容令人尴尬或不自在的情况,比如社交场合中因缺乏默契或笨拙而产生的尴尬感。

“There was an awkward silence after he told the joke.”

(他讲完笑话后,现场陷入一阵尴尬的沉默。)

“She felt awkward wearing formal clothes to the casual party.”

(她穿着正装参加休闲派对,感到很不自在。)

❶ 形容动作或设计笨拙、不灵活,难以操作或使用。

“The suitcase has an awkward shape that won't fit in the trunk.”

(这个行李箱形状笨拙,后备箱根本塞不下。)

“The door opens in an awkward way that blocks the hallway.”

(这扇门的开启方式很别扭,会挡住走廊。)

同义词:uncomfortable, clumsy, embarrassing

常见短语

awkward moment — 指令人尴尬或不适的短暂时刻,通常发生在社交互动中。

“When she called me by the wrong name, it was such an awkward moment.”

(她叫错我名字的那一刻,真是尴尬极了。)

awkward age — 指青少年时期,形容人在成长过程中因身心变化而产生的不适应阶段。

“At 13, he was at that awkward age when everything feels embarrassing.”

(13岁时,他正处于那个觉得什么都尴尬的青春期。)