\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.