Embarass Meaning and Definition
Embarass
Pronunciation
/ɪmˈbærəs/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A situation or feeling of embarrassment or humiliation, often caused by a social faux pas or public exposure.
Examples
- The awkward silence after the embarrassing slip-up was agonizing.
- Seeing her ex with someone else was a deeply embarrassing experience.
Synonyms
- Crush
- Humiliation
Antonyms
- Exaltation
- Boost
Etymology
Embarass is derived from the Old English words “embaren” meaning “to shame” and “sas” meaning “felt”.
Usage Notes
Embarass is often used to describe situations where one feels awkward, ashamed, or humiliated, often due to a public display of error or misunderstanding.
Cultural References
Embarass has appeared in popular culture in various forms, such as in TV shows like “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation”, and in films like “The Social Network” and “The Big Short”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Idiomatic expressions or phrases that include Embarass include “felt embarrassed”, “tried to hide the embarrassment”, and “walked out of the room in embarrassment”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to Embarass include “humiliation”, “embarrassment”, “shame”, and “mortification”.
Collocations
Common collocations with Embarass include “to feel embarrassed”, “to be embarrassed by”, and “to be in embarrassing situation”.
Frequency of Use
Embarass is a moderately common word in modern language, often used in informal settings and conversations.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of Embarass include “embarce”, “embaraze”, and “imbarasse”.