What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Charming vs Awkward - What's the difference?

charming | awkward |

As adjectives the difference between charming and awkward

is that charming is pleasant, charismatic while awkward is lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.

As a verb charming

is .

As a noun charming

is the casting of a magical charm.

As an adverb awkward is

(obsolete) in a backwards direction.

charming

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • pleasant, charismatic
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 24 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=Film: Reviews: Men In Black 3 , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=In the abstract, Stuhlbarg’s twinkly-eyed sidekick suggests Joe Pesci in Lethal Weapon 2 by way of late-period Robin Williams with an alien twist, but Stuhlbarg makes a character that easily could have come across as precious into a surprisingly palatable, even charming man.}}
  • *
  • delightful in a playful way which avoids responsibility or seriousness, as if attracting through a magical charm

    • Antonyms

    * (pleasant) dull

    Synonyms

    * (pleasant) charismatic, smart, witty * (delightful) silly

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The casting of a magical charm.
  • * (Thomas Middleton)
    • They denied me often flour, barm and milk, / Goose-grease and tar, when I ne'er hurt their charmings , / Their brewlocks, nor their batches, nor forespoke / Any of their breedings.

    Anagrams

    *

    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