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Awkward vs Coward - What's the difference?

awkward | coward |

As adjectives the difference between awkward and coward

is that awkward is lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments while coward is cowardly.

As an adverb awkward

is in a backwards direction.

As a noun coward is

a person who lacks courage.

As a proper noun Coward is

{{surname}.

awkward

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • (obsolete) In a backwards direction.
  • *, Bk.V, Ch.x:
    • Than groned the knyght for his grymme woundis, and gyrdis to Sir Gawayne and awkewarde hym strykes, and.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments
    • John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve.
  • Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing
    • That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.
    An awkward silence had fallen.
  • Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction
    • I'm very awkward at parties.
    Things get very awkward whenever 60-year old men use cheesy pick-up lines on me.
  • Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle
    • He's a right awkward chap.
    These cabinets are going to be very awkward when we move.

    Synonyms

    * (lacking dexterity) clumsy, ungraceful, unhandy, lubberly * (lacking social skill) maladroit

    Antonyms

    * (having dexterity) dexterous, graceful, skillful, gainly * (having social skills) cool, amiable

    Derived terms

    * awkwardly * awkwardness

    coward

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who lacks courage.
  • * 1856 : (Gustave Flaubert), (Madame Bovary), Part II Chapter IV, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling
    • He tortured himself to find out how he could make his declaration to her, and always halting between the fear of displeasing her and the shame of being such a coward , he wept with discouragement and desire. Then he took energetic resolutions, wrote letters that he tore up, put it off to times that he again deferred.

    Synonyms

    * chicken * See also

    Derived terms

    * cowardly * cowardice

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Cowardly.
  • *, II.17:
  • *:It is a coward and servile humour, for a man to disguise and hide himselfe under a maske, and not dare to shew himselfe as he is.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He raised the house with loud and coward cries.
  • * Prior
    • Invading fears repel my coward joy.
  • (heraldry, of a lion) Borne in the escutcheon with his tail doubled between his legs.
    • English words suffixed with -ard