The word "awry" is often misspelled due to its unusual spelling. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /əˈraɪ/, indicating that the first syllable contains a schwa sound, while the second syllable has a long "i" sound. The "w" in the spelling is pronounced as a consonant, not a vowel, which is where the spelling trips up some people. The word means crooked or out of order, and it's important to remember its correct spelling to avoid embarrassing mistakes in writing.
The word "awry" is an adjective used to describe something that has gone wrong or deviated from the expected or desired course. When an event or situation goes awry, it means that it has turned out in an unexpected or unsatisfactory manner.
Awry expresses a sense of being crooked, twisted, or off-kilter. It suggests a disruption of the normal or intended process, resulting in a misalignment or malfunction. The term is often associated with plans, endeavors, or situations that have encountered an obstacle or a sequence of events that caused them to veer off track.
The connotation of awry indicates a negative outcome or an unforeseen consequence, suggesting that things have not gone according to plan. It implies a departure from the original intention or expectation, often leading to confusion, disappointment, or distress.
Awry can also describe physical objects or their positions that are not in proper alignment or lacking symmetry. It suggests a misshapen or distorted appearance, indicating a state of being askew or out of order.
Overall, "awry" embodies a sense of imbalance, deviation, or failure from the anticipated or desired course. It encompasses the notion of unexpected disruptions or complications that result in a negative or unfavorable outcome, whether it pertains to plans, events, situations, or physical appearance.
Asquint; unevenly; uneven; crooked.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "awry" originated from the Old English word "a-wrigian", meaning "to turn or twist". It comes from the combination of the prefix "a-" (indicating direction) and the verb "wrīgan" (to turn or twist). Over time, it evolved from "a-wrigian" to "awri" and eventually to "awry".