embarrassment
ihm-BAR-uhs-muhnt
Embarrassment (noun) means a feeling of awkward shame or self-consciousness. Example: “He turned red with embarrassment when he realized his mistake.”
noun
1
A feeling of awkward shame or self-consciousness.
"He turned red with embarrassment when he realized his mistake."
"To her embarrassment, her phone rang loudly during the ceremony."
"She hid her face in embarrassment after tripping on the stage."
2
A person or thing that causes shame or discredit to others.
"The scandal became a major embarrassment for the government."
"The team's behaviour at the match was an embarrassment to the whole club."
"His loud, rude remarks made him an embarrassment to his family."
How to use embarrassment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the awkward feeling itself, or something/someone that brings shame or discredit.
Common pairings
out of embarrassment
an embarrassment to
cause embarrassment
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Word forms
- Plural
- embarrassments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He turned red with _____ when he realized his mistake.
Etymology
From "embarrass" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ment".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
disembarrassment
Related words
Rhymes for embarrassment
See all rhymes for embarrassment →Frequently asked questions
What does “embarrassment” mean?
The word “embarrassment” means a feeling of awkward shame or self-consciousness. In plain terms, either the awkward feeling itself, or something/someone that brings shame or discredit.
How do you pronounce “embarrassment”?
“Embarrassment” is pronounced ihm-BAR-uhs-muhnt (/ɪmˈbæɹ.əs.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “embarrassment” in a sentence?
Here is “embarrassment” used in a sentence: “He turned red with embarrassment when he realized his mistake.”
What part of speech is “embarrassment”?
“Embarrassment” is a noun.
Is “embarrassment” a common word?
“Embarrassment” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “embarrassment” have?
“Embarrassment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of awkward shame or self-consciousness.
What is the difference between "embarrassment" and "shame"?
"Embarrassment" is a milder, often momentary feeling of awkward self-consciousness, typically triggered by a minor social mistake in front of others. "Shame" is generally deeper and more lasting, tied to a sense of having done something genuinely wrong rather than just socially awkward.
What does it mean to call someone or something "an embarrassment"?
Calling a person or thing "an embarrassment" means they cause shame or discredit to others, such as "an embarrassment to the family" or "an embarrassment to the team." This use shifts the word from describing a feeling to describing the source of that feeling.
What is the difference between "embarrassment" and "embarrassing"?
"Embarrassment" is the noun naming the feeling or the person/thing causing it, as in "I felt embarrassment." "Embarrassing" is the adjective describing something that causes that feeling, as in "an embarrassing moment."
