awkwardly-constructed
|awk/ward/ly-con/struct/ed|
🇺🇸
/ˈɔːkwərdli kənˈstrʌktɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˈɔːkwədli kənˈstrʌktɪd/
clumsily built
Etymology
'awkwardly-constructed' originates from the combination of 'awkwardly,' which comes from Middle English 'awkeward,' meaning 'in the wrong direction,' and 'constructed,' from Latin 'constructus,' meaning 'to build or arrange.'
'awkwardly' changed from Middle English 'awkeward' to its modern form, while 'constructed' evolved from Latin 'constructus' through Old French 'construire.'
Initially, 'awkwardly' meant 'in the wrong direction,' but over time it evolved to mean 'clumsily or inelegantly.' 'Constructed' has largely retained its original meaning of 'built or arranged.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
built or formed in a way that is not smooth or graceful, often resulting in a clumsy or inelegant appearance.
The awkwardly-constructed sentence made it difficult to understand the author's point.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/06 21:45