Gawkily
/ˈɡɔːkɪli/noun
In an awkward, clumsy, or awkwardly staring manner.
Did you know?The root behind *gawk* is tied to old English words for a clumsy, foolish person, and the verb *gawk* later took on the sense of staring stupidly—so the word already carried both awkwardness and a haunted, vacant stare.
Etymological Timeline
Old English / Old Norse
Germanic
gawk / gawky (related forms)
“A clumsy, foolish, or awkward person; later, awkward or ungainly in movement or appearance.”
15th–16th Century
English
gawk
“To stare stupidly or gape.”
17th Century
English
gawky
“Clumsy, awkward, or ungainly.”
18th Century
English
gawkily
“In a gawky, awkward, or clumsy manner.”