What does gawky mean?
Gawky means awkward and ungainly, especially in appearance or movement. It is often used for people whose limbs seem unusually long or whose movements lack coordination, and it can suggest a mixture of clumsiness, youthful awkwardness, and comic charm. A gawky walk, a gawky posture, or a gawky attempt at an activity all lack smoothness or grace without necessarily suggesting serious difficulty. The word is common in British and American English and often carries a humorous or affectionate tone, though it may sound unkind when directed at someone's physical appearance. Gawky should not be confused with awkward in every context: awkward can also describe socially or tactfully clumsy behavior, whereas gawky is most strongly associated with visible physical ungainliness. The adjective is especially effective for describing adolescent growth, uncertain movement, and objects or figures that seem strangely proportioned.
adjectiveAwkward and ungainly in appearance or movement.
- Awkward, clumsy, or ungainly in appearance or movement.
"The young deer moved across the clearing with a surprisingly gawky grace."
"He folded his long legs into the tiny chair with a gawky movement."
"The comedy is based on the awkward, gawky young protagonist learning to find his confidence."
The word gawky gives a precise, often humorous label to the moment when growing limbs seem to arrive before their owner's coordination.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gawky come from?
Gawky dates from the early 19th century and is generally formed from the dialectal word gawk with the adjective suffix -y. It shares its root with gawk and gawkish, although the deeper historical ancestry of that dialectal root is not securely established.
Related word forms
How gawky is actually used
Gawky is descriptive and commonly informal or mildly humorous, especially when applied to a person's long limbs, awkward movements, or ungainly appearance. It can sound unkind when used carelessly to criticize someone's looks.
Easily confused with gawky
Gawky usually describes conspicuous physical ungainliness, whereas awkward can also refer to socially or tactfully clumsy behavior.
Gawky is an adjective meaning ungainly or awkward, while gawk is a verb meaning to stare openly and stupidly.