Awkward silence

Awkward silence

In a social conversation, an awkward silence might occur momentarily when no one has anything to say and the conversation is halted as people wait for someone to break the silence. It is also known as a "pregnant pause."


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  • Awkward Silence Recordings — is an independent record label located in Staplehurst, Kent, UK. It has released EPs for artists including Isan, Arovane, Part Chimp, Tarentel, Papa M and Nautilis. History The label was set up to release limited edition split singles/EPs and… …   Wikipedia

  • awkward silence — period of silence in which no one speaks and everyone feels uncomfortable …   English contemporary dictionary

  • awkward — awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not adapted by constitution or character to act, operate, or achieve the intended or desired ends with ease, fitness, or grace. Awkward and clumsy are by far the widest of these terms in their range… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • silence — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 quietness ADJECTIVE ▪ lengthy, long, prolonged ▪ brief, momentary, a moment s, short ▪ There was a mome …   Collocations dictionary

  • silence — si|lence1 W2 [ˈsaıləns] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(no noise)¦ 2¦(no talking)¦ 3¦(no discussion/answer)¦ 4¦(no communication)¦ 5 one minute/two minute etc silence ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) ¦(NO NOISE)¦[U] complete absence of sound or noise = ↑quiet …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • awkward — awk|ward S2 [ˈo:kwəd US ˈo:kwərd] adj [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: awk turned the wrong way (15 17 centuries) (from Old Norse öfugr) + ward] 1.) making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say = ↑difficult ▪ I hoped he would… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • awkward — 01. It felt a little [awkward] the first time I wore high heels, but I got used to them pretty quickly. 02. It is somewhat [awkward] to try to dance with a kimono on. 03. The young boy tried his friend s skateboard, but fell [awkwardly] and hurt… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • awkward — adjective Etymology: Middle English awkeward in the wrong direction, from awke turned the wrong way, from Old Norse ǫfugr; akin to Old High German abuh turned the wrong way Date: 1530 1. obsolete perverse 2. archaic unfavorable …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • awkward */*/ — UK [ˈɔːkwə(r)d] / US [ˈɔkwərd] adjective 1) a) difficult to deal with and embarrassing After he spoke there was an awkward silence. Luckily nobody asked any awkward questions about what he was doing there. It s a bit awkward, because he s my… …   English dictionary

  • awkward — awk|ward [ ɔkwərd ] adjective ** 1. ) difficult to deal with and embarrassing: After he spoke there was an awkward silence. Luckily nobody asked any awkward questions about what he was doing there. It s a little awkward, because he s my friend… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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