What does “awkward” mean in English?

Awkward describes a moment, question or situation that makes people feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. A silence after a bad joke is awkward. So is meeting an ex in the supermarket. It does not mean “clumsy” in this use: the situation is awkward, not the person’s body. You can also say “That was so awkward” when something goes a little wrong socially.

The title promises 13 awkward questions for couples, such as “Who is better at arguing?” and “Who gets more jealous?” The questions are awkward because either answer could start a fight. The word has a second meaning too: an awkward box is hard to carry, and an awkward angle is hard to reach. Related forms are awkwardly and awkwardness.