Similes are simple comparisons that use the words “like” or “as” to describe something in a vivid way. They make writing colorful, engaging, and relatable.
One of the most fascinating areas to explore is how we describe awkwardness, a feeling that everyone has experienced.
From clumsy encounters to uneasy silences, similes for awkwardness help us laugh at, understand, and even express those uncomfortable moments better.
Keep reading—you’ll discover 37 creative and funny similes for awkward that you can use in conversations, stories, or even social media captions.
What Is a Simile?
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words “like” or “as.”
For example: “He was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
37 Similes for Awkward (With Meanings and Examples)
1. Awkward as a penguin on roller skates
- Meaning: Extremely clumsy and out of place.
- Definition: Looks funny and unsteady.
- Examples:
- “He danced as awkward as a penguin on roller skates.”
- “Her first day at yoga felt awkward as a penguin on roller skates.”
2. Awkward like a giraffe on ice
- Meaning: Tall and unsteady in an unusual situation.
- Definition: Moving clumsily, struggling for balance.
- Examples:
- “His speech was awkward like a giraffe on ice.”
- “She walked into the room awkward like a giraffe on ice.”
3. Awkward as a cat in water
- Meaning: Uncomfortable and out of natural comfort zone.
- Definition: A forced or uneasy situation.
- Examples:
- “He looked awkward as a cat in water during the meeting.”
- “Her smile was awkward as a cat in water.”
4. Awkward like socks with sandals
- Meaning: A mismatch that feels socially uncomfortable.
- Definition: Something unfashionable or strange.
- Examples:
- “The joke landed awkward like socks with sandals.”
- “That outfit felt awkward like socks with sandals.”
5. Awkward as a turtle on its back
- Meaning: Struggling to move or act.
- Definition: Helpless and clumsy.
- Examples:
- “He felt awkward as a turtle on its back trying to explain.”
- “The silence was awkward as a turtle on its back.”
6. Awkward like a fish out of water
- Meaning: Uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment.
- Definition: Not belonging, uneasy.
- Examples:
- “She was awkward like a fish out of water at the party.”
- “He looked awkward like a fish out of water in the debate.”
7. Awkward as two left feet
- Meaning: Clumsy, especially in dancing or moving.
- Definition: Lack of grace.
- Examples:
- “His dancing was awkward as two left feet.”
- “She felt awkward as two left feet at the wedding.”
8. Awkward like a deer caught in headlights
- Meaning: Frozen in shock or embarrassment.
- Definition: Staring helplessly.
- Examples:
- “He looked awkward like a deer caught in headlights.”
- “She froze awkward like a deer caught in headlights when asked.”
9. Awkward as a teen at a school dance
- Meaning: Nervous and unsure how to act.
- Definition: Socially uncomfortable.
- Examples:
- “The silence was awkward as a teen at a school dance.”
- “He felt awkward as a teen at a school dance.”
10. Awkward like an elephant in a small room
- Meaning: Too big or obvious to ignore.
- Definition: Clearly uncomfortable.
- Examples:
- “The subject was awkward like an elephant in a small room.”
- “He stood awkward like an elephant in a small room.”
11. Awkward as mismatched shoes
- Meaning: Visibly wrong or out of place.
- Definition: Unbalanced.
- Examples:
- “The meeting ended awkward as mismatched shoes.”
- “His walk was awkward as mismatched shoes.”
12. Awkward like a dog wearing clothes
- Meaning: Funny but uncomfortable.
- Definition: Forced and unnatural.
- Examples:
- “She looked awkward like a dog wearing clothes at the dinner.”
- “The conversation was awkward like a dog wearing clothes.”
13. Awkward as a phone ringing in a funeral
- Meaning: Socially inappropriate and embarrassing.
- Definition: Wrong place, wrong time.
- Examples:
- “His comment was awkward as a phone ringing in a funeral.”
- “It felt awkward as a phone ringing in a funeral.”
14. Awkward like eating soup with a fork
- Meaning: Difficult and clumsy.
- Definition: Inefficient and strange.
- Examples:
- “Explaining that was awkward like eating soup with a fork.”
- “The meeting turned awkward like eating soup with a fork.”
15. Awkward as a silent elevator ride
- Meaning: Uncomfortable silence.
- Definition: Stiff atmosphere.
- Examples:
- “The date was awkward as a silent elevator ride.”
- “The team felt awkward as a silent elevator ride.”
16. Awkward like laughing at the wrong time
- Meaning: Inappropriate reaction.
- Definition: Embarrassing mistake.
- Examples:
- “He was awkward like laughing at the wrong time.”
- “Her giggle was awkward like laughing at the wrong time.”
17. Awkward as spilling a drink on yourself
- Meaning: Embarrassing accident.
- Definition: Social blunder.
- Examples:
- “He felt awkward as spilling a drink on yourself.”
- “Her presentation started awkward as spilling a drink.”
18. Awkward like forgetting someone’s name
- Meaning: Embarrassing memory lapse.
- Definition: Social discomfort.
- Examples:
- “He was awkward like forgetting someone’s name.”
- “She smiled awkward like forgetting someone’s name.”
19. Awkward as a broken umbrella in the rain
- Meaning: Useless and uncomfortable.
- Definition: Situation not working.
- Examples:
- “His excuse was awkward as a broken umbrella in the rain.”
- “She looked awkward as a broken umbrella in the rain.”
20. Awkward like a long pause in conversation
- Meaning: Uncomfortable silence.
- Definition: Gap that feels strange.
- Examples:
- “The moment was awkward like a long pause in conversation.”
- “His stare was awkward like a long pause in conversation.”
21. Awkward as mismatched puzzle pieces
- Meaning: Things not fitting together.
- Definition: Disjointed.
- Examples:
- “Their talk was awkward as mismatched puzzle pieces.”
- “She felt awkward as mismatched puzzle pieces in the group.”
22. Awkward like saying goodbye then walking the same way
- Meaning: Unplanned social discomfort.
- Definition: Funny but uneasy.
- Examples:
- “It was awkward like saying goodbye then walking the same way.”
- “They laughed awkward like saying goodbye then walking the same way.”
23. Awkward as a squeaky shoe in a quiet room
- Meaning: Drawing unwanted attention.
- Definition: Distracting.
- Examples:
- “He walked awkward as a squeaky shoe in a quiet room.”
- “The tension was awkward as a squeaky shoe in a quiet room.”
24. Awkward like clapping alone
- Meaning: Being the only one reacting.
- Definition: Embarrassing loneliness.
- Examples:
- “He felt awkward like clapping alone.”
- “Her cheer was awkward like clapping alone.”
25. Awkward as a paused video call face
- Meaning: Unflattering and stuck.
- Definition: Frozen expression.
- Examples:
- “He looked awkward as a paused video call face.”
- “She smiled awkward as a paused video call face.”
26. Awkward like tripping on flat ground
- Meaning: Silly and embarrassing.
- Definition: Clumsy mistake.
- Examples:
- “He was awkward like tripping on flat ground.”
- “The moment was awkward like tripping on flat ground.”
27. Awkward as meeting your boss outside work
- Meaning: Out of place, unexpected encounter.
- Definition: Social discomfort.
- Examples:
- “He felt awkward as meeting your boss outside work.”
- “The silence was awkward as meeting your boss outside work.”
28. Awkward like an out-of-tune guitar
- Meaning: Not smooth, grating.
- Definition: Unpleasant mismatch.
- Examples:
- “His laugh was awkward like an out-of-tune guitar.”
- “The meeting felt awkward like an out-of-tune guitar.”
29. Awkward as a chair squeak in silence
- Meaning: Distracting noise.
- Definition: Draws attention.
- Examples:
- “The room was awkward as a chair squeak in silence.”
- “He moved awkward as a chair squeak in silence.”
30. Awkward like wearing pajamas to a wedding
- Meaning: Out of place.
- Definition: Totally inappropriate.
- Examples:
- “He looked awkward like wearing pajamas to a wedding.”
- “Her outfit was awkward like wearing pajamas to a wedding.”
31. Awkward as a typo in a love letter
- Meaning: Small mistake with big effect.
- Definition: Embarrassing slip.
- Examples:
- “His message was awkward as a typo in a love letter.”
- “The line read awkward as a typo in a love letter.”
32. Awkward like a bad high-five
- Meaning: Social gesture gone wrong.
- Definition: Failed attempt.
- Examples:
- “It was awkward like a bad high-five.”
- “Their greeting ended awkward like a bad high-five.”
33. Awkward as meeting an ex unexpectedly
- Meaning: Uncomfortable encounter.
- Definition: Social unease.
- Examples:
- “The party was awkward as meeting an ex unexpectedly.”
- “She smiled awkward as meeting an ex unexpectedly.”
34. Awkward like chewing loudly in silence
- Meaning: Distracting and embarrassing.
- Definition: Social discomfort.
- Examples:
- “The dinner was awkward like chewing loudly in silence.”
- “He ate awkward like chewing loudly in silence.”
35. Awkward as forgetting your lines on stage
- Meaning: Public embarrassment.
- Definition: Nervous mistake.
- Examples:
- “His speech was awkward as forgetting your lines on stage.”
- “The play paused awkward as forgetting your lines on stage.”
36. Awkward like an unwanted hug
- Meaning: Forced and uncomfortable.
- Definition: Lack of consent or ease.
- Examples:
- “She felt awkward like an unwanted hug.”
- “His gesture was awkward like an unwanted hug.”
37. Awkward as laughing at your own joke alone
- Meaning: Embarrassing self-awareness.
- Definition: Social rejection.
- Examples:
- “He was awkward as laughing at your own joke alone.”
- “The silence was awkward as laughing at your own joke alone.”
How to Use These Awkward Similes in Creative Writing
Similes bring color and relatability to your work. Here are a few tips:
- In poems: Use similes to express vulnerability and humor in emotions.
- In stories: Describe characters’ social blunders with these funny comparisons.
- In songs: Add quirky similes for lyrics that stick in the listener’s head.
- In essays or speeches: Use them carefully to lighten the tone or make ideas relatable.
When you use similes for awkwardness, you add humor and depth that makes your writing stand out.
FAQs
What is a simile for awkward?
A simile for awkward compares uncomfortable or clumsy situations to familiar images, like “awkward as a penguin on roller skates.”
Why use similes for awkwardness in writing?
Because they make readers visualize the feeling, adding humor and relatability to your text.
Can I use these similes in academic writing?
Not usually. They work best in creative writing, blogs, casual essays, and storytelling.
What are the most popular similes for awkward?
Some common ones include “awkward like a fish out of water” and “awkward as two left feet.”
How do I create my own awkward simile?
Think of something clumsy, mismatched, or embarrassing, and compare it with your situation using like or as.
Conclusion
Awkwardness is a universal human experience—sometimes funny, sometimes painful, but always memorable. Using similes, we can capture those moments in a way that’s clear, creative, and relatable.
From penguins on roller skates to mismatched shoes, these 37 similes offer plenty of ways to describe awkwardness in your conversations, stories,
or even social media captions. Next time you feel uncomfortable, you’ll have the perfect phrase ready to make others smile.
