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Awkward vs Tricky - What's the difference?

awkward | tricky |

As adjectives the difference between awkward and tricky

is that awkward is lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments while tricky is hard to deal with, complicated.

As an adverb awkward

is (obsolete) in a backwards direction.

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

    tricky

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • hard to deal with, complicated
    • They were in a tricky situation.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=September 15 , author=Amy Lawrence , title=Arsenal's Gervinho enjoys the joy of six against lowly Southampton , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=It was as comfortable an afternoon as Arsène Wenger could have wished for in a situation that can be tricky in between internationals and the upcoming Champions League. }}
  • adept at using deception
    • A tricky salesman can sell anything.

    Related terms

    * trick

    See also

    * sneaky