The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word NERD
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
N
E
R
D
More clues leading to the result NERD
- Anorak - mostly green, found on road
- Hooligan holds Rex to be a geek
- Awkward person regularly in tears on date
- Retired doctor’s a space geek
- Boring student starts to name each ruddy dog!
- One obsessed in new way renouncing whiskey
- Trainspotter‘s not heading for a road
- Geek‘s way to reach Tyneside from the south?
- Half the kids turned geek
- Among learner drivers, one that’s overly cerebral
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Awkward person" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case awkward person = nerd.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NERD mean?
NERD noun- (sometimes derogatory) A person who is intellectual but generally introverted
- (sometimes derogatory) One who has an intense, obsessive interest in something.
- An unattractive, socially awkward, annoying, undesirable, and/or boring, person; a dork.
- (post-1980s) A member of a subculture revolving around video games, fantasy and science fiction, comic books and assorted media.