awkward phase
Teenage adjustment period
An awkward phase is a period of social discomfort or physical ungainliness, typically during adolescence when rapid growth and hormonal changes make teenagers clumsy and self-conscious.
The term implies the phase will pass: Everyone goes through an awkward phase.
It can extend to any transitional period marked by uncertainty or gracelessness: The company is in an awkward phase as it restructures.
- teenageOf youth, 13-19
- pubertySexual development stage
- coming of ageReaching adult status
- bracesDental alignment devices
- acneInflamed skin condition
braces face · growth spurt · growing pains · middle school · cringeworthy · embarrassing · self-conscious · social anxiety · gangly · lanky · baby fat · voice cracking · greasy hair · bad haircut · insecure · dorky · gawky · clumsy
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
awkward phasegolden years
Later life stage
prime · heyday · glory days · poise · coming into one's own
awkward phasecomfortable in one's skin
At peace with oneself
self-acceptance · at ease · self-possessed · glow-up · coming into one's own
awkward, phase, awkwardly, awkwardness, phases, phased, phasing