rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygawkyPhysically awkward
adjective

gawky

GAW-kee/ˈɡɔːki/

Awkward in movement or appearance.

The adolescent’s gawky movements make the doorway difficult to navigate.

A tall lanky adolescent navigates a doorway awkwardly with a large backpack, natural proportions, no cruel caricature.
Etymology
gawkEnglishleft, in “gawk hand”
+yEnglishcharacterized by

The base occurs in gawk hand, meaning “left hand”; gawky shifts from that older label to awkwardness in movement or appearance. The origin of gawk in the phrase is uncertain.

In context

Libranima596:21
Razumihin strode in gawky and awkward, shamefaced and red as a peony, with an utterly crestfallen
Crime and Punishment - Dostoevsky (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 1 of 2

More examples

  • She felt gawky in the unfamiliar costume.
  • The young bird looked gawky on its long legs.
  • Practice made the actor’s movements less gawky.

Forms

gawky · gawkier · gawkiest

Similar words

awkward
Awkward is general; gawky often concerns ungainly posture or movement.
gangly
Gangly specifically suggests tall, thin proportions; gawky need not involve height.