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A1 noun #3,598 most common 10 min read

ashamed

Top 3,598

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ashamed in 30 Seconds

Explanation ashamed in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'ashamed' is a basic feeling word used to describe when you feel very bad because you did something wrong. It is similar to feeling 'sad' but specifically because of a mistake. You might use it in simple sentences like 'I am ashamed because I broke the window.' At this level, you should focus on the connection between a wrong action and the bad feeling inside. It is often taught alongside other emotions like happy, sad, and angry. Learners should know that it is a 'strong' bad feeling. You feel ashamed when you think you are a 'bad boy' or 'bad girl' for a moment. It is the opposite of feeling 'proud'. If you win a game, you are proud. If you cheat in a game, you are ashamed. The word is usually followed by 'of'. For example, 'I am ashamed of my dog' (if the dog was bad).

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'ashamed' with more specific structures. You should be able to use 'ashamed of' followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing (a gerund). For example, 'She is ashamed of her messy room' or 'He is ashamed of lying to his teacher.' At this level, you understand that shame is more serious than just being 'embarrassed'. Embarrassed is for small things, like wearing your shirt inside out. Ashamed is for things that make you feel like a bad person. You might also hear the phrase 'You should be ashamed of yourself!' which is a common way to tell someone they did something very wrong. A2 learners should also recognize that you can feel ashamed for other people, like your friends or family, if they do something bad in public.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'ashamed' in a variety of sentence patterns, including 'ashamed to [verb]' and 'ashamed that [clause]'. For example, 'I am ashamed to admit that I haven't started my homework yet' or 'They were ashamed that they didn't help their neighbor.' You should understand the nuance that 'ashamed' often involves a fear of what other people think. It is a social emotion. You might feel ashamed because you failed a test and you don't want your parents to know. B1 learners should also start to see the word in more formal contexts, like news stories or books, where it is used to describe a sense of moral failure. You should also know the noun form 'shame' and how it is used in phrases like 'What a shame!' (which actually means 'What a pity!' and is different from feeling ashamed).

At the B2 level, you should understand the deeper psychological and social implications of being 'ashamed'. You can use the word to discuss complex moral issues and character development. You should be able to distinguish between 'shame' and 'guilt' in a conversation. Guilt is about the action ('I did something bad'), while shame is about the self ('I am bad'). B2 learners should use adverbs to modify the intensity of the feeling, such as 'deeply ashamed', 'bitterly ashamed', or 'acutely ashamed'. You should also be familiar with related terms like 'shameful' (the behavior) and 'shameless' (a person who feels no shame). You might use 'ashamed' in academic or professional discussions about ethics, for example, 'The company was ashamed of its negative impact on the local community.'

C1 learners should have a sophisticated grasp of 'ashamed' and its place in the English lexicon. You should be able to use it to explore existential or societal themes. For instance, you might discuss 'collective shame'—the feeling a whole nation or group has about its past actions. You should also be familiar with more literary or archaic synonyms like 'abashed', 'chagrined', or 'penitent'. At this level, you can use 'ashamed' to describe subtle emotional states, such as the shame of being successful when others are failing (survivor's guilt). You should also understand how the concept of shame varies across cultures and how this is reflected in language. You can use 'ashamed' in complex rhetorical structures and recognize its use in classical literature to signify a profound loss of honor or social standing.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'ashamed' is near-native. You can use the word to navigate the most delicate social and moral nuances. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its psychological depth as explored in philosophy and high-level literature. You are comfortable using the word in highly formal, academic, or poetic contexts. You can analyze the use of 'ashamed' in political discourse to manipulate public opinion or to express national contrition. You also recognize the subtle irony or sarcasm when the word is used in informal settings. You can effortlessly switch between 'ashamed', 'mortified', 'contrite', and 'reproachful' to capture the exact tone of a situation. Your usage reflects an awareness of the power of shame as a tool for social control and personal transformation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ashamed in 30 Seconds

Ashamed is an adjective describing a deep feeling of guilt or embarrassment after doing something wrong.
It is usually followed by the prepositions 'of' (for things/people) or 'to' (for actions).
Unlike simple embarrassment, being ashamed often involves a moral failure or a sense of being a 'bad' person.
Common physical signs include blushing, looking down, and wanting to hide from others.

The word ashamed is a powerful adjective that describes a deep, internal feeling of distress. At its core, being ashamed means you feel bad about yourself because of something you did, said, or even something you failed to do. It is often linked to a sense of having broken a moral code or failed to meet a standard that you or society holds dear. Unlike simple embarrassment, which might happen if you trip in public, being ashamed usually involves a deeper sense of guilt or regret. You might feel ashamed if you lied to a friend, cheated on a test, or acted in a way that goes against your personal values. It is a social emotion, meaning it often relates to how we think others perceive us, leading to a desire to hide or disappear from view.

Core Emotion: A mixture of regret, guilt, and the feeling that your character has been diminished in the eyes of others.

He felt deeply ashamed of the way he had treated his younger brother during the argument.

People use this word in various contexts, ranging from minor personal mistakes to major ethical failures. In a family setting, a child might feel ashamed after being caught in a lie. In a professional environment, an employee might feel ashamed if their negligence caused a project to fail. The physical manifestation of being ashamed often includes blushing, looking down, or avoiding eye contact. It is a universal human experience that serves as a moral compass, signaling to us when our actions are not in alignment with who we want to be. Understanding this word requires recognizing the difference between 'shame' (the noun) and 'ashamed' (the adjective describing the person's state).

You should not be ashamed to ask for help when you are struggling with your schoolwork.

Social Context: Often used when discussing public reputation or internal moral standards.

She was ashamed that she had forgotten her best friend's birthday for the second year in a row.

The politician claimed he was ashamed of his party's recent decisions regarding the environment.

Physical Cues: Lowered head, averted eyes, and a desire to be alone or hidden.

I am ashamed to say that I didn't finish the book before the meeting.

Using the word ashamed correctly requires paying attention to the prepositions that follow it. The most common structure is 'ashamed of [something/someone]'. This identifies the source of the bad feeling. For example, 'He is ashamed of his old car' implies he feels embarrassed by its appearance. Another common structure is 'ashamed to [verb]', which describes an action the person feels bad about performing or admitting. For instance, 'I am ashamed to admit I was wrong' shows a reluctance to confess a mistake because of the blow to one's pride. In more formal writing, you might see 'ashamed that [clause]', such as 'They were ashamed that the project failed so publicly.'

Structure A: Subject + be + ashamed + of + noun/gerund. Example: I am ashamed of lying.

The athlete was ashamed of his poor performance at the Olympic Games.

It is also important to note that you can feel ashamed for someone else. This is called 'vicarious shame'. If your friend behaves very rudely in a restaurant, you might say, 'I was ashamed of him.' This means you felt the weight of his bad behavior as if it reflected on you. In English, we often use intensifiers to show the depth of the feeling. Words like 'deeply', 'thoroughly', 'heartbrokenly', or 'mortified' (though mortified is stronger) often accompany ashamed. For example, 'She was deeply ashamed of her outburst.' This conveys a much stronger emotional state than simply saying 'She was ashamed.'

You have no reason to be ashamed of your background or where you come from.

Structure B: Subject + feel + ashamed + to + infinitive. Example: She felt ashamed to cry in front of them.

He felt ashamed to show his face after the scandal was revealed.

We were ashamed of our lack of preparation for the sudden guest.

Intensifiers: Deeply, acutely, quite, somewhat, rather, horribly.

I was ashamed that I had not stood up for my colleague when she was being bullied.

The word ashamed is frequently encountered in emotional conversations, literature, and media that focuses on moral dilemmas. In movies and TV dramas, characters often use this word during climactic scenes of confession or apology. For example, a character might tearfully tell their partner, 'I'm so ashamed of what I've done,' signaling a turning point in their relationship. You will also hear it in news reports when public figures are caught in scandals; they might issue a statement saying they are 'ashamed of their actions' and 'apologize to the public.' In literature, authors use the feeling of being ashamed to explore the inner lives of characters who struggle with their conscience.

Media Usage: Commonly used in public apologies, court cases, and dramatic storytelling.

'You should be ashamed of yourself!' the mother shouted at her son after he stole the candy.

In everyday life, parents often use the phrase 'You should be ashamed of yourself' as a way to discipline children and teach them about right and wrong. While this can be a harsh phrase, it is a very common way to express social disapproval. In self-help books and psychological discussions, the word is used to describe the 'inner critic'—that voice in your head that makes you feel bad about your flaws. You might hear someone in a support group say, 'I used to be ashamed of my addiction, but now I am in recovery.' Here, the word helps to define the emotional journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance. It is also found in religious texts, where being ashamed is often linked to the concept of sin and the need for forgiveness.

The CEO said he was ashamed of the company's past labor practices.

Everyday Idiom: 'Put to shame' means to be so much better than something else that the other thing looks bad by comparison.

His amazing cooking skills put my simple dinner to shame.

I am ashamed that I didn't reach out to you when you were in the hospital.

Psychological Context: Used to describe toxic internal feelings that can lead to low self-esteem.

She was ashamed to admit that she had never learned how to swim.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing ashamed with shameful. While they both come from the same root, they are used differently. 'Ashamed' describes the person's feeling (the internal state), while 'shameful' describes the action or thing that causes the feeling (the external quality). For example, you would say, 'His behavior was shameful' (the behavior was bad), and 'He felt ashamed of his behavior' (he felt bad about it). Mixing these up can change the meaning of your sentence significantly. Another common error is using 'ashamed' when 'embarrassed' would be more appropriate. Embarrassment is usually for small, social accidents, while shame is for moral or deeper personal failures.

Ashamed vs. Shameful: 'I am ashamed' (My feeling) vs. 'That is shameful' (That thing is bad).

Incorrect: I feel very shameful about my test score. Correct: I feel very ashamed of my test score.

Grammatically, learners often forget to include the 'd' at the end of the word. 'Ashame' is not an adjective in English. You must always use 'ashamed' when describing the feeling. Additionally, watch the prepositions. Many students say 'ashamed for' when they should say 'ashamed of'. While 'ashamed for someone' is possible (feeling shame on their behalf), 'ashamed of' is the standard way to link the feeling to the cause. For example, 'I am ashamed of my mistakes,' not 'I am ashamed for my mistakes.' Finally, avoid using 'ashamed' to mean 'shy'. If you are afraid to talk to a stranger, you are shy, not ashamed. Shame implies you have done something wrong.

Incorrect: He is ashame of his house. Correct: He is ashamed of his house.

Preposition Pitfall: Always use 'ashamed of' or 'ashamed to', rarely 'ashamed with' or 'ashamed about' (though 'about' is sometimes heard in informal speech).

She was ashamed of having lied to her parents about the party.

They were ashamed to let anyone see the messy state of their apartment.

Level Tip: At A1, focus on 'I am ashamed of [something]'. Don't worry about complex clauses yet.

You shouldn't feel ashamed for making a simple mistake.

While ashamed is a very common word, English has many synonyms that express similar feelings with different shades of meaning. Understanding these can help you be more precise in your communication. 'Embarrassed' is the most common alternative, but it is much lighter; it’s for when you feel self-conscious or silly, like if you have food in your teeth. 'Guilty' is another close relative, but guilt is specifically about the action you did, while shame is about how you feel about yourself as a result. You might feel guilty for eating the last cookie, but you feel ashamed of your lack of self-control. 'Mortified' is a very strong word that means extremely ashamed or embarrassed—so much so that you want to 'die' (the root 'mort' means death).

Ashamed vs. Embarrassed: Ashamed involves a moral failure; embarrassed involves a social awkwardness.

I was embarrassed when I tripped, but I was ashamed when I lied to my boss.

Other words include 'sheepish', which describes a mild, slightly silly feeling of shame, often accompanied by a shy smile. 'Contrite' and 'penitent' are more formal words often used in religious or legal contexts to describe someone who feels deeply sorry and ashamed for their sins or crimes. 'Chagrined' is a sophisticated word for a feeling of being annoyed and ashamed because of a failure or disappointment. If you want to describe someone who has no shame at all, you use the adjective 'shameless'. This is often used as a criticism for someone who behaves badly and doesn't care what others think. Knowing these variations allows you to tailor your language to the severity of the situation.

He looked sheepish after forgetting to bring the wine to the dinner party.

Formal Alternatives: Contrite, penitent, remorseful, abashed.

The remorseful thief apologized to the shopkeeper for his actions.

I felt chagrined that I had missed the obvious answer to the puzzle.

Informal Alternatives: Feeling low, hanging one's head, feeling like a fool.

She was abashed by the public praise she received from the principal.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The root of 'shame' is thought to come from an ancient word meaning 'to cover', which is why people often want to hide their faces when they feel ashamed.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /əˈʃeɪmd/

US /əˈʃeɪmd/

The stress is on the second syllable: a-SHAMED.

Rhymes With

tamed named framed blamed claimed aimed maimed inflamed

Common Errors

Saying 'ashame' instead of 'ashamed' (forgetting the 'd').
Pronouncing the 'a' at the beginning like 'ay' instead of 'uh'.
Mixing up the 'sh' sound with an 's' sound.
Failing to voice the 'd' at the end, making it sound like 'ashamet'.
Stress on the first syllable: A-shamed (incorrect).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is common in stories and news, making it easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct preposition use ('of' vs 'to') and spelling the 'ed' ending.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce but requires emotional nuance in tone.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though the 'd' can be soft in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

bad wrong feel sorry mistake

Learn Next

embarrassed guilty regret conscience honor

Advanced

mortified contrite penitent abashed chagrined

Grammar to Know

Adjective vs. Noun

Ashamed (adj) vs. Shame (noun). 'I feel ashamed' vs. 'I feel shame.'

Prepositional Gerunds

After 'ashamed of', use the -ing form. 'Ashamed of lying.'

Infinitive of Purpose/Result

Use 'to' + verb to show what you are ashamed to do. 'Ashamed to speak.'

That-Clauses as Adjective Complements

I am ashamed that I forgot.

Linking Verbs

Ashamed follows verbs like 'be', 'feel', 'look', 'seem', 'become'.

Examples by Level

I am ashamed because I broke the vase.

Je suis honteux parce que j'ai cassé le vase.

Simple 'Subject + be + ashamed' structure.

He is ashamed of his dirty hands.

Il a honte de ses mains sales.

Uses 'ashamed of' with a noun.

Are you ashamed of your mistake?

As-tu honte de ton erreur ?

Question form using 'be' verb.

She was ashamed to cry in class.

Elle avait honte de pleurer en classe.

Uses 'ashamed to' with a verb.

The dog looked ashamed after eating the cake.

Le chien avait l'air honteux après avoir mangé le gâteau.

Uses 'look' as a linking verb.

Don't be ashamed to ask for a pencil.

N'aie pas honte de demander un crayon.

Imperative negative form.

I felt ashamed when I forgot your name.

Je me suis senti honteux quand j'ai oublié ton nom.

Uses 'feel' as a linking verb.

We are ashamed of our messy room.

Nous avons honte de notre chambre en désordre.

Plural subject with 'ashamed of'.

He was ashamed of lying to his parents.

Il avait honte d'avoir menti à ses parents.

Gerund (-ing) after 'of'.

You should be ashamed of yourself for being so rude.

Tu devrais avoir honte de toi pour avoir été si impoli.

Common idiomatic expression.

She felt ashamed to show her low test score to her friends.

Elle avait honte de montrer sa mauvaise note à ses amis.

Infinitive 'to show' after ashamed.

They were ashamed of their old, broken car.

Ils avaient honte de leur vieille voiture cassée.

Adjectives modifying the noun after 'of'.

I am ashamed to say that I didn't finish the project.

J'ai honte de dire que je n'ai pas fini le projet.

Introductory phrase 'ashamed to say'.

Was she ashamed of her behavior at the party?

Avait-elle honte de son comportement à la fête ?

Past tense question.

He is not ashamed of his humble beginnings.

Il n'a pas honte de ses humbles débuts.

Negative statement.

We felt ashamed of not helping the old lady with her bags.

Nous avons eu honte de ne pas avoir aidé la vieille dame avec ses sacs.

Negative gerund 'not helping'.

The politician was ashamed that his secrets were revealed.

Le politicien avait honte que ses secrets soient révélés.

Noun clause 'that...' after ashamed.

She was deeply ashamed of her lack of knowledge on the topic.

Elle avait profondément honte de son manque de connaissances sur le sujet.

Adverb 'deeply' used as an intensifier.

He felt ashamed to admit he had never read the book.

Il avait honte d'admettre qu'il n'avait jamais lu le livre.

Infinitive phrase following ashamed.

They were ashamed of the way they had treated the new student.

Ils avaient honte de la façon dont ils avaient traité le nouvel élève.

Complex noun phrase after 'of'.

I am ashamed to have kept this secret from you for so long.

J'ai honte d'avoir gardé ce secret pour toi pendant si longtemps.

Perfect infinitive 'to have kept'.

She was ashamed of her parents' loud behavior in the restaurant.

Elle avait honte du comportement bruyant de ses parents au restaurant.

Possessive noun phrase after 'of'.

He looked quite ashamed when the truth finally came out.

Il avait l'air assez honteux quand la vérité a fini par éclater.

Adverb 'quite' used as a modifier.

Are you ashamed to be seen with me in public?

As-tu honte d'être vu avec moi en public ?

Passive infinitive 'to be seen'.

The company felt ashamed of its contribution to environmental pollution.

L'entreprise a eu honte de sa contribution à la pollution de l'environnement.

Abstract noun 'contribution' as object of 'of'.

He was acutely ashamed of his failure to provide for his family.

Il avait intensément honte de son incapacité à subvenir aux besoins de sa famille.

Adverb 'acutely' for strong intensity.

She was ashamed to think that she had once been so prejudiced.

Elle avait honte de penser qu'elle avait été autrefois si pleine de préjugés.

Infinitive 'to think' followed by a 'that' clause.

Many citizens felt ashamed of their country's past colonial actions.

De nombreux citoyens avaient honte des actions coloniales passées de leur pays.

Collective subject 'Many citizens'.

He was ashamed of having allowed himself to be manipulated.

Il avait honte de s'être laissé manipuler.

Perfect gerund 'having allowed'.

The artist was ashamed of his early, unrefined works.

L'artiste avait honte de ses premières œuvres non raffinées.

Plural noun phrase with multiple adjectives.

She was ashamed that she hadn't spoken up during the meeting.

Elle avait honte de ne pas avoir pris la parole pendant la réunion.

Negative 'that' clause with past perfect.

Is there anything you are truly ashamed of in your life?

Y a-t-il quelque chose dont tu as vraiment honte dans ta vie ?

Ending a sentence with a preposition 'of' in a relative clause.

He was thoroughly ashamed of the duplicity he had shown his colleagues.

Il avait tout à fait honte de la duplicité dont il avait fait preuve envers ses collègues.

Sophisticated vocabulary ('duplicity') and adverb ('thoroughly').

The nation remains ashamed of the atrocities committed during the war.

La nation reste honteuse des atrocités commises pendant la guerre.

Abstract collective subject and strong moral context.

She felt ashamed to be part of a system that marginalized the poor.

Elle avait honte de faire partie d'un système qui marginalisait les pauvres.

Complex social commentary using 'ashamed to be'.

He was ashamed of the intellectual laziness he had displayed in his thesis.

Il avait honte de la paresse intellectuelle dont il avait fait preuve dans sa thèse.

Academic context and specific noun phrase.

They were ashamed to acknowledge their complicity in the scandal.

Ils avaient honte de reconnaître leur complicité dans le scandale.

Formal verb 'acknowledge' and noun 'complicity'.

She was ashamed that her initial reaction had been one of pure selfishness.

Elle avait honte que sa réaction initiale ait été une réaction de pur égoïsme.

Detailed 'that' clause with abstract nouns.

The writer was ashamed of how much he had compromised his artistic vision.

L'écrivain avait honte de la mesure dans laquelle il avait compromis sa vision artistique.

Relative clause 'how much...' as object of 'of'.

He felt ashamed of the triviality of his concerns compared to theirs.

Il avait honte de la trivialité de ses préoccupations par rapport aux leurs.

Comparison of abstract nouns.

The protagonist was haunted by an ashamed silence that defined his existence.

Le protagoniste était hanté par un silence honteux qui définissait son existence.

Using 'ashamed' as an attributive adjective (rare but poetic).

She was profoundly ashamed of the subtle betrayals that had eroded their trust.

Elle avait profondément honte des trahisons subtiles qui avaient érodé leur confiance.

Advanced metaphor and high-level vocabulary.

He felt ashamed to exist in a world where such injustice was commonplace.

Il avait honte d'exister dans un monde où une telle injustice était courante.

Existential usage of the emotion.

The institution was ashamed to reveal the systemic failures of its leadership.

L'institution avait honte de révéler les défaillances systémiques de sa direction.

Institutional subject and formal vocabulary.

He was ashamed of the ease with which he had discarded his principles.

Il avait honte de la facilité avec laquelle il avait abandonné ses principes.

Complex prepositional relative clause.

She was ashamed that her life had become a mere performance for others.

Elle avait honte que sa vie soit devenue une simple performance pour les autres.

Metaphorical usage and complex 'that' clause.

The philosopher argued that being ashamed is the first step toward moral clarity.

Le philosophe a soutenu que le fait d'avoir honte est la première étape vers la clarté morale.

Gerund phrase 'being ashamed' as subject.

He was ashamed of the lingering resentment he felt toward his benefactor.

Il avait honte du ressentiment persistant qu'il éprouvait envers son bienfaiteur.

Nuanced emotional description.

Synonyms

embarrassed guilty mortified humiliated sorry remorseful

Antonyms

proud confident shameless

Common Collocations

deeply ashamed

ashamed of yourself

feel ashamed

ashamed to admit

bitterly ashamed

thoroughly ashamed

ashamed to say

look ashamed

acutely ashamed

nothing to be ashamed of

Common Phrases

be ashamed of something

— To feel shame because of a specific thing.

He is ashamed of his old clothes.

be ashamed of someone

— To feel shame because of another person's actions.

She was ashamed of her brother's behavior.

ashamed to show one's face

— To be too ashamed to go out in public.

After the scandal, he was ashamed to show his face.

ashamed to confess

— To feel bad about telling the truth.

I am ashamed to confess that I lied.

make someone feel ashamed

— To cause someone else to feel shame.

His words made me feel ashamed of my anger.

nothing to be ashamed of

— Something that is not a reason for shame.

Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.

should be ashamed

— A way to tell someone they did something wrong.

You should be ashamed for cheating!

deeply ashamed

— Feeling a very strong sense of shame.

He was deeply ashamed of the mistake.

ashamed that...

— Used to describe a situation that causes shame.

I am ashamed that I didn't help you.

bitterly ashamed

— Feeling painful or sharp shame.

She was bitterly ashamed of her failure.

Often Confused With

ashamed vs Shameful

Ashamed describes the person; shameful describes the thing or action.

ashamed vs Embarrassed

Embarrassed is for social slips; ashamed is for moral or deep personal failure.

ashamed vs Shy

Shy is a personality trait about social anxiety; ashamed is an emotion about doing something wrong.

Idioms & Expressions

"put to shame"

— To be so much better than something else that it looks bad.

Your garden puts mine to shame.

informal

"hang one's head in shame"

— To show that you are very ashamed by looking down.

He hung his head in shame after the verdict.

neutral

"cry shame on"

— To publicly criticize someone for their behavior.

The crowd cried shame on the cruel leader.

literary

"a crying shame"

— Something that is very unfortunate or unfair.

It's a crying shame that the old library is closing.

informal

"shame on you"

— A phrase used to tell someone they should feel ashamed.

Shame on you for stealing from a child!

neutral

"tell the truth and shame the devil"

— To tell the truth even when it is difficult or embarrassing.

Come on, tell the truth and shame the devil.

old-fashioned

"hide one's face in shame"

— To be so ashamed that you don't want to be seen.

She wanted to hide her face in shame after the mistake.

neutral

"without a trace of shame"

— Doing something wrong without feeling bad at all.

He lied to us without a trace of shame.

neutral

"to one's shame"

— Used when admitting something that makes you look bad.

To my shame, I didn't realize she was suffering.

formal

"blush with shame"

— For one's face to turn red because of shame.

He blushed with shame when his secret was told.

neutral

Easily Confused

ashamed vs Shameful

They both come from 'shame'.

Shameful means 'deserving shame' (applied to actions). Ashamed means 'feeling shame' (applied to people).

His shameful behavior made his parents feel ashamed.

ashamed vs Guilty

Both involve feeling bad about a wrong action.

Guilty is about the law or a specific act; ashamed is about the self and how others see you.

He was guilty of the crime, but he wasn't ashamed of it.

ashamed vs Humiliated

Both involve a loss of pride.

Humiliation is usually caused by others; being ashamed is usually an internal reaction to one's own choices.

He was humiliated by the bully, but he was ashamed of his own cowardice.

ashamed vs Mortified

Both mean feeling very bad.

Mortified is a stronger version of embarrassed, often related to public social blunders.

She was mortified when she spilled soup on the host.

ashamed vs Abashed

Both mean feeling ashamed.

Abashed is more about feeling sudden confusion or self-consciousness, often in response to a specific person.

He was abashed by the principal's stern look.

Sentence Patterns

I am ashamed.

Subject + be + ashamed + of + noun.

He is ashamed of his car.

Subject + feel + ashamed + to + verb.

She feels ashamed to cry.

Subject + be + ashamed + of + gerund.

They are ashamed of stealing.

Subject + be + adverb + ashamed + of + noun.

I am deeply ashamed of my actions.

Subject + be + ashamed + that + clause.

He was ashamed that he lied.

It is + adjective + to be + ashamed + of...

It is natural to be ashamed of failure.

Noun phrase + be + what + subject + be + ashamed + of.

His greed is what I am ashamed of.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

I am ashame of my car. → I am ashamed of my car.
You must use the adjective form 'ashamed', not the noun 'shame' as an adjective.
It was an ashamed behavior. → It was shameful behavior.
'Ashamed' describes a person's feeling; 'shameful' describes the behavior itself.
I am ashamed about my mistake. → I am ashamed of my mistake.
While 'about' is sometimes used in informal speech, 'of' is the standard and correct preposition.
He is very ashamed to his friends. → He is very ashamed in front of his friends.
You are ashamed 'of' something, but you feel it 'in front of' or 'before' people.
I feel ashamed for my bad English. → I feel ashamed of my bad English.
'Ashamed for' usually means you feel shame on someone else's behalf.

Tips

Use 'of' for things

Always follow 'ashamed' with 'of' if you are naming a noun. Example: 'Ashamed of my shoes.'

Use 'to' for verbs

Follow 'ashamed' with 'to' if you are naming an action. Example: 'Ashamed to tell you.'

The 'd' is important

Don't forget to pronounce the 'd' at the end. Without it, the word is incorrect.

Embarrassed vs Ashamed

If you trip, you are embarrassed. If you steal, you are ashamed. Learn the difference!

Intensify with 'deeply'

To show very strong shame, use the adverb 'deeply' before 'ashamed'.

Shame on you

Be careful with this phrase; it's a strong way to criticize someone.

Linking verbs

Ashamed works with verbs like 'be', 'feel', and 'look'. 'He looked ashamed.'

Shameless

Use 'shameless' to describe someone who does bad things and doesn't care.

Introductory phrase

'I am ashamed to say...' is a great way to start a difficult confession.

Body Shaming

This is a modern term for making people feel ashamed of their bodies. It's a common topic today.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A-SHAM-ED'. If you act like a 'SHAM' (a fake), you will feel 'ASHAMED' at the 'ED' (end).

Visual Association

Imagine a person wearing a large, heavy grey blanket over their head, trying to hide from a crowd of people pointing at them.

Word Web

Guilt Embarrassment Regret Conscience Hide Blush Wrong Moral

Challenge

Write three sentences about things you were ashamed of as a child, using 'ashamed of', 'ashamed to', and 'ashamed that'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'asceamed', which is the past participle of 'asceamian' (to feel shame). It is related to the Proto-Germanic root 'skamo'.

Original meaning: To be covered with shame or to feel a sense of disgrace.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'You should be ashamed' as it is very confrontational and can be considered an insult.

In the UK and US, 'shame' is often seen as a private emotion, though public apologies are expected from celebrities.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (a story centered on public shame). The phrase 'Shame! Shame! Shame!' from the TV show Game of Thrones. The concept of the 'walk of shame' in college culture.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Personal Mistakes

ashamed of my behavior
ashamed to admit
feel ashamed of myself
deeply ashamed of what I did

Family/Relationships

ashamed of my brother
ashamed to tell my parents
brought shame to the family
nothing to be ashamed of

School/Work

ashamed of my grades
ashamed to ask a question
ashamed of the project's failure
feel ashamed in front of my boss

Social Situations

ashamed of my clothes
ashamed to be seen with
look ashamed
hang one's head in shame

Moral/Ethical Issues

ashamed of the injustice
collective shame
ashamed that I did nothing
deeply ashamed of the scandal

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever felt ashamed of something you did as a child?"

"Do you think people should be ashamed of making mistakes in a new language?"

"What is something that people are often ashamed of, but shouldn't be?"

"How do you react when you see someone looking very ashamed?"

"Is it better to feel ashamed or to feel guilty?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you felt ashamed and what you learned from that experience.

Describe a situation where someone was 'put to shame' by someone else's talent.

Reflect on the difference between being ashamed and being embarrassed in your own life.

Do you believe that feeling ashamed can ever be a positive thing? Why or why not?

Write a letter to your younger self about something you used to be ashamed of.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'ashamed' is an adjective. The noun form is 'shame'. You can say 'I feel ashamed' (adjective) or 'I feel shame' (noun).

No, this is a common mistake. You must always use the form 'ashamed' with a 'd' at the end to describe the feeling.

You are 'ashamed of' your own actions or things. You are 'ashamed for' someone else when you feel shame on their behalf because they don't feel it themselves.

No. Shyness is feeling nervous around people. Being ashamed is feeling bad because you did something wrong. They are very different.

Yes, but 'embarrassed' is usually better for small social mistakes. Use 'ashamed' for things that affect your character or morals.

Yes, it describes a negative emotion, but it can be a positive sign that a person has a conscience and knows right from wrong.

The adverb is 'ashamedly', but it is not very common. People usually say 'in an ashamed way' or 'with shame'.

It is when a large group of people, like a nation, feels ashamed of something they did together in the past, such as a war or a bad law.

Yes, a company might say they are 'ashamed of their past mistakes' when apologizing to customers or the public.

The most common opposite is 'proud'. Another opposite could be 'unabashed' or 'shameless'.