The difference between Awkward and Backwards

When used as adverbs, awkward means in a backwards direction, whereas backwards means toward the back.

When used as adjectives, awkward means lacking dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments, whereas backwards means oriented toward the back.

Awkward is also noun with the meaning: someone or something that is awkward.

check bellow for the other definitions of Awkward and Backwards

  1. Awkward as an adverb (obsolete):

    In a backwards direction.

  1. Awkward as an adjective:

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

    Examples:

    "John was awkward at performing the trick. He'll have to practice to improve."

    "synonyms: clumsy lubberly ungracefuunhandy"

    "ant dexterous gainly gracefuskillful"

  2. Awkward as an adjective:

    Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.

    Examples:

    "That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching."

    "An awkward silence had fallen."

  3. Awkward as an adjective:

    Lacking social skills, or uncomfortable with social interaction.

    Examples:

    "I'm very awkward at parties."

    "Things get very awkward whenever 60-year old men use cheesy pick-up lines on me."

    "synonyms: maladroit"

    "ant amiable cool"

  4. Awkward as an adjective:

    Perverse; adverse; difficult to handle.

    Examples:

    "He's a right awkward chap."

    "These cabinets are going to be very awkward when we move."

  1. Awkward as a noun:

    Someone or something that is awkward.

  1. Backwards as an adjective:

    Oriented toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The battleship had three backwards guns at the stern, in addition to the primary complement''."

  2. Backwards as an adjective:

    Reversed.

    Examples:

    "The backwards lettering on emergency vehicles makes it possible to read in the rear-view mirror."

  3. Backwards as an adjective (derogatory):

    Behind current trends or technology.

    Examples:

    "Modern medicine regards the use of leeches as a backwards practice."

  4. Backwards as an adjective:

    Clumsy, inept, or inefficient, especially in learning.

    Examples:

    "He was a very backwards scholar, but he was a marvel on the football field."

  1. Backwards as an adverb:

    Toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The cabinet [[topple]]d over backwards."

    "Life is lived forwards, but understood backwards.''—Søren Kierkegaard"

  2. Backwards as an adverb:

    In the opposite direction to usual.

    Examples:

    "The clock did not work because the battery was inserted backwards."

  3. Backwards as an adverb:

    In a manner such that the back precedes the front.

    Examples:

    "The tour guide walked backwards while droning on to the bored seniors."

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