Skip to main content

embarrassed — feeling ashamed, awkward, or uncomfortable about something

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: feeling ashamed, awkward, or uncomfortable about something

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪmˈbærəst/

Example Sentences

  • I was so embarrassed when I called my teacher 'mom' in class.
  • He looked embarrassed when his stomach growled loudly during the meeting.
  • She was embarrassed by her parents' loud singing at the restaurant.

embarrassed

ADJECTIVE

[/ɪmˈbærəst/]

feeling ashamed, awkward, or uncomfortable about something

He got embarrassed after tripping over his own shoelaces in front of everyone.
💡 Concept

He got embarrassed after tripping over his own shoelaces in front of everyone.

Once embarrassed and harassed, now he's surpassed them all!
🎵 Rhyme

Once embarrassed and harassed, now he's surpassed them all!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪmˈbærəst/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪmˈbærəst/

🌳Etymology

Prefixem--
Rootbarr
Suffix--ed

Origin

From French 'embarrasser,' derived from Spanish 'embarazar' meaning 'to obstruct or hinder.' The word originally referred to physical blockage or impediment, but evolved semantically to mean 'to cause confusion or self-consciousness' by the 17th century.

Breakdown

em- (in, into) + barr- (bar, barrier) + -ass (verb-forming suffix) + -ed (past participle). The root combines a prefix indicating enclosure with a barrier concept, literally 'to fence in or block,' which developed figuratively into 'to perplex or disconcert.'

🎵Rhyme

harassed
amassed
surpassed

🔗Collocations

feel embarrassed
embarrassed silence
deeply embarrassed
embarrassed smile
get embarrassed
embarrassed about

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“I was so embarrassed when I called my teacher 'mom' in class.”

😄 Fun example

“He looked embarrassed when his stomach growled loudly during the meeting.”

😄 Fun example

“She was embarrassed by her parents' loud singing at the restaurant.”

“The politician appeared embarrassed by the unexpected question.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.