different between awkward vs hulking

English

Etymology

From awk (“odd, clumsy”) +? -ward.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???kw?d/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??kw?d/
• (Canada, cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /??kw?d/
• Hyphenation: awk?ward

Adverb

awkward (comparative more awkward, superlative most awkward)

1. (obsolete) In a backwards direction.
   • :

     Than groned the knyght for his grymme woundis, and gyrdis to Sir Gawayne and awkewarde hym strykes, and […] kut thorow a vayne […].

Adjective

awkward (comparative awkwarder or more awkward, superlative awkwardest or most awkward)

1. Lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments.

   Synonyms: clumsy, lubberly, ungraceful, unhandy

   Antonyms: dexterous, gainly, graceful, handy, skillful

2. Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.

3. Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction.

   Synonym: maladroit

   Antonyms: amiable, cool

4. Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

awkward (plural awkwards)

1. Someone or something that is awkward.

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?lk??/

Adjective

hulking (not comparable)

1. Large and bulky, heavily built; massive.
   • 2001, Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl, page 212:

     A hulking shape burst through the doorway and hurtled down the corridor, leaving a maelstrom of air currents in his wake.

2. Unwieldy.

Translations

Noun

hulking (plural hulkings)

1. A kind of sloping embankment used as a coastal defence.
   • 1953, The Institution of Civil Engineers, Proceedings (volume 2, part 2, page 513)

     The sand-hills have permanently disappeared from many parts of the coast and have been replaced by clay embankments, timber hulkings, and, during the pre-war years, by mass-concrete stepwork.

Related terms

• hulk

Verb

hulking

1. present participle of hulk