embarrassment
Embarrassment is the uncomfortable feeling you get when you do something silly or awkward in front of others.
Explanation at your level:
Embarrassment is a feeling. You feel it when you do something wrong. For example, if you fall down, you feel embarrassment. Your face gets hot. It is a bad feeling, but it is normal. Everyone feels it sometimes. Don't worry if you feel it!
When you make a mistake, you might feel embarrassment. It is like being shy or ashamed. If you forget your homework, you might feel embarrassment. It is a common word we use to talk about social mistakes. You can say, 'I felt great embarrassment when I forgot his name.'
Embarrassment is the feeling of being self-conscious after a social error. It is more than just being shy; it is a reaction to a specific event. For example, if you spill coffee on your boss, you will feel deep embarrassment. We often use it with verbs like 'cause' or 'avoid'. It is important to know that while 'embarrass' is the verb, 'embarrassment' is the noun form.
The noun embarrassment describes the psychological state of discomfort in social settings. It is often triggered by a loss of dignity or a violation of social norms. Interestingly, it can also refer to an object or person that causes this feeling, such as 'The broken machine was an embarrassment to the company.' It is a sophisticated word used to describe nuanced social interactions.
In advanced English, embarrassment transcends simple social awkwardness. It can imply a profound sense of shame or a public loss of face. In political or academic discourse, it is used to describe situations that undermine the credibility of an institution. The phrase 'an embarrassment of riches' is a clever, figurative usage that subverts the negative connotation of the word to describe an abundance of quality.
The etymology of embarrassment reveals a transition from physical obstruction to psychological inhibition. In literary and philosophical contexts, it denotes a state of being 'stuck' within one's own self-consciousness. Mastery of this word involves understanding its role in social hierarchy and public perception. Whether discussing the 'embarrassment' of a nation or the subtle, fleeting 'embarrassment' of a social faux pas, the word captures the tension between the private self and the public gaze.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- It is a feeling of being awkward.
- It comes from the French word for 'block'.
- It is a noun.
- It can also refer to a person/thing that causes the feeling.
Have you ever tripped on the sidewalk or called your teacher 'Mom' by accident? That hot, prickly feeling you get right after is embarrassment. It is a universal human emotion that kicks in when we feel like we have made a mistake in front of other people.
At its core, embarrassment happens because we care about what others think of us. We want to fit in, and when we do something that makes us stand out in a 'silly' way, our brain hits the panic button. It is not just about the feeling, though; sometimes, a person or a situation can be an embarrassment, meaning they cause that awkward feeling for everyone involved.
The word embarrassment has a fascinating journey through time. It comes from the French word embarrasser, which originally meant 'to block' or 'to obstruct.' Imagine being physically blocked by a pile of furniture—that is how the word started!
By the 17th century, the meaning shifted from physical obstruction to a mental one. It began to describe the feeling of being 'blocked' or 'hindered' in social situations because you were too flustered to speak or act naturally. Over time, it evolved into the specific emotion we know today: that distinct, red-faced feeling of being socially stuck.
You will hear embarrassment used in both casual and formal settings. In casual talk, we often say 'to my embarrassment' to admit a mistake. In more formal contexts, it might be used to describe a political or professional situation, such as 'an embarrassment to the administration.'
Common collocations include 'save from embarrassment', 'deep embarrassment', or 'cause embarrassment'. It is a very versatile word, but remember that it is a noun, so you cannot 'embarrassment' someone—you have to 'embarrass' them!
- To blush with embarrassment: To turn red because you are ashamed.
- To save face: To avoid embarrassment after a mistake.
- An embarrassment of riches: Having so much of something good that it becomes a problem to manage.
- To die of embarrassment: To feel so awkward you wish you could disappear.
- A source of embarrassment: Something that consistently makes you feel ashamed.
Embarrassment is an uncountable noun, meaning we don't usually say 'an embarrassment' unless we are referring to a specific instance or a person. The stress falls on the second syllable: em-BARR-ass-ment.
IPA (US): /ɪmˈbærəsmənt/. It rhymes with words like 'harassment' (though be careful with that one!) and 'assessment'. Remember the double 'r' and double 's'—it is a notoriously tricky word to spell!
Fun Fact
It originally meant to be physically blocked by something, like a pile of wood!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear stress on the second syllable.
Similar to UK, sometimes faster.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'rr' as one 'r'
- Missing the middle 'a' sound
- Stressing the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Advanced
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Embarrassment is usually uncountable.
Noun vs Adjective
Embarrassment vs Embarrassed.
Articles with Nouns
An embarrassment.
Examples by Level
I felt embarrassment.
I felt [the feeling of being awkward].
Noun usage.
It was an embarrassment.
It was [a bad situation].
Article usage.
No embarrassment, please.
No [awkwardness], please.
Imperative.
He hides his embarrassment.
He hides his [shame].
Subject-verb.
She felt no embarrassment.
She felt [nothing].
Negative.
Why the embarrassment?
Why [the feeling]?
Short question.
Avoid embarrassment today.
Avoid [awkwardness].
Verb usage.
The embarrassment is gone.
The [feeling] is gone.
Past tense.
The embarrassment made me turn red.
I tried to hide my embarrassment.
He saved me from embarrassment.
It was a moment of pure embarrassment.
She laughed to cover her embarrassment.
There is no need for embarrassment.
His embarrassment was clear to everyone.
She felt a wave of embarrassment.
The candidate's failure was an embarrassment to the party.
She felt a deep sense of embarrassment after the speech.
To my embarrassment, I realized I was wearing two different shoes.
He managed to avoid embarrassment by apologizing quickly.
The situation was an embarrassment for all involved.
She couldn't hide her embarrassment when she tripped.
His constant jokes became an embarrassment to his friends.
I felt such embarrassment that I wanted to leave.
The scandal caused significant embarrassment to the organization.
She spoke with a hint of embarrassment about her past.
The team's performance was an embarrassment to their fans.
He suffered the embarrassment of being caught in a lie.
There is an embarrassment of riches in this new collection.
She overcame her embarrassment and finished the presentation.
The public embarrassment was hard for him to process.
His lack of preparation was an embarrassment to his colleagues.
The sheer embarrassment of the situation left him speechless.
It was an embarrassment of riches, as the library had thousands of rare books.
She viewed her earlier work as an embarrassment to her current reputation.
The diplomat sought to avoid the embarrassment of a failed negotiation.
His behavior was an embarrassment to the profession.
She handled the embarrassment with surprising grace.
The project was an embarrassment of logistical errors.
He felt a profound embarrassment that colored his entire worldview.
The historical embarrassment of the regime continues to haunt the nation.
She navigated the social embarrassment with a stoic demeanor.
The sheer embarrassment of the error was compounded by the public setting.
An embarrassment of riches is often a challenge for curators.
He felt the embarrassment of being the only one not invited.
The situation was an embarrassment to the core values of the institution.
She transformed her embarrassment into a powerful artistic statement.
The subtle nuance of his embarrassment was lost on the audience.
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"An embarrassment of riches"
Having too much of something good.
We have an embarrassment of riches in our garden this year.
neutral"Save face"
Avoid being embarrassed.
He apologized to save face.
neutral"Die of embarrassment"
Feel extremely awkward.
I thought I would die of embarrassment.
casual"Red-faced"
Showing embarrassment.
He was red-faced after the mistake.
casual"Eat humble pie"
Admit you were wrong.
He had to eat humble pie after his error.
idiomatic"Make a fool of oneself"
Cause embarrassment.
Don't make a fool of yourself.
casualEasily Confused
Both involve negative feelings.
Shame is deeper; embarrassment is more about social awkwardness.
He felt shame for lying; he felt embarrassment for tripping.
Often used interchangeably.
Awkwardness is the situation; embarrassment is the feeling.
The situation was awkward; I felt embarrassment.
Both are social.
Humiliation is usually caused by someone else.
He suffered humiliation at the hands of his rival.
Both relate to being watched.
Self-consciousness is the state of being watched; embarrassment is the reaction.
She felt self-conscious on stage.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + felt + embarrassment
She felt embarrassment.
Subject + caused + embarrassment
He caused embarrassment.
Subject + saved + object + from + embarrassment
I saved him from embarrassment.
It was an embarrassment to + noun
It was an embarrassment to the family.
The sheer embarrassment of + noun
The sheer embarrassment of the situation.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
Embarrassment is the noun, embarrassing is the adjective.
Use the adjective form for feelings.
The verb is embarrass.
Needs double r and double s.
More natural to use the adjective.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a red 'R' and a red 'S' dancing on a stage to remember the double letters.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to explain why they don't want to do something.
Cultural Insight
In some cultures, saving face is more important than in others.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: Noun = Embarrassment, Adjective = Embarrassed.
Say It Right
Break it into: em-bar-rass-ment.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't add -ing to the noun!
Did You Know?
It originally meant to block a road.
Study Smart
Keep a list of 'embarrassing' moments and write them down to practice the word.
Writing Tip
Use it to add depth to your character descriptions.
Speaking Tip
Don't rush the word; enunciate the 'rr' and 'ss'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'Double R, Double S'—it's a big word for a big feeling.
Visual Association
A person standing in the middle of a room with a spotlight on them, turning bright red.
Word Web
Desafío
Write a sentence using 'embarrassment' and 'riches' together.
Origen de la palabra
French
Original meaning: To obstruct or block.
Contexto cultural
Can be a sensitive topic for those with social anxiety.
Commonly used in social etiquette discussions.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- an embarrassment to the company
- avoid professional embarrassment
- save face in a meeting
At school
- deep embarrassment in class
- hide my embarrassment
- a moment of embarrassment
Social gatherings
- embarrassment of riches
- die of embarrassment
- cover my embarrassment
Public speaking
- overcome public embarrassment
- avoid embarrassment on stage
- a source of embarrassment
Conversation Starters
"Tell me about a time you felt deep embarrassment."
"Is embarrassment always a bad thing?"
"How do you help someone who is feeling embarrassed?"
"Have you ever experienced an 'embarrassment of riches'?"
"What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you wanted to disappear.
Describe a situation where someone else caused you embarrassment.
Is it possible to feel embarrassment for someone else?
How does social media contribute to embarrassment?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasIt is a normal human emotion, though it feels unpleasant.
E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S-S-M-E-N-T.
Yes, that is the adjective form.
Shame is often deeper and linked to morality; embarrassment is more about social blunders.
Generally no, but yes when referring to a specific instance.
To embarrass.
Yes, it is a standard academic word.
Yes, we talk about our mistakes often!
Ponte a prueba
I felt a lot of ___ when I fell.
Embarrassment is the feeling of awkwardness.
Which word describes the feeling of being awkward?
Embarrassment is the correct noun for this feeling.
Embarrassment is a verb.
It is a noun; the verb is 'embarrass'.
Word
Significado
Matches noun to synonym and verb to definition.
Subject + verb + adjective + noun.
The ___ of riches was unexpected.
The idiom is 'an embarrassment of riches'.
What is the adjective form?
Embarrassing is the adjective.
You can be an embarrassment to someone.
Yes, it can refer to a person.
Word
Significado
Matches formal synonyms.
The historical embarrassment of the regime was...
Puntuación: /10
Summary
Embarrassment is the uncomfortable feeling of being socially exposed, but it is a normal part of the human experience.
- It is a feeling of being awkward.
- It comes from the French word for 'block'.
- It is a noun.
- It can also refer to a person/thing that causes the feeling.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a red 'R' and a red 'S' dancing on a stage to remember the double letters.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it to explain why they don't want to do something.
Cultural Insight
In some cultures, saving face is more important than in others.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: Noun = Embarrassment, Adjective = Embarrassed.
