Where does “awkward” come from?
Awkward derives from Old English -weard, from Proto-Germanic wardaz, from Proto-Indo-European wert-, ultimately from the root wer- meaning to turn or bend.
awkward (English): In a backwards direction; Lacking dexterity in...
Definitions
- In a backwards direction; Lacking dexterity in...
Ancestry of “awkward”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | -ward | Forming adverbs denoting course or direction to,... |
| 2 | Old English | -weard | Forming adjectives and nouns from adjectives or... |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | wardaz | turned; turned toward; facing; Alternative form... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | werþaz | worthy, valuable |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wert- | to turn, to rotate |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |