embarrass

CEFRB1

/ɪmˈbæɹəs/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To make someone feel ashamed or uncomfortable.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct.

Examples

  • But showing off the presents could embarrass the guests who did not bring one.

  • Tom just doesn't want me to embarrass him.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ɛm-/
  • /ɪmˈbaɾəs/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands.

  2. to humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to abash.

  3. To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely.

More examples

In context

  • Tom didn't want to embarrass Mary.

  • A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.

  • The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Please do not blank me by singing loudly in the quiet library.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

Borrowed from French embarrasser, from Middle French embarrasser, embarasser (“to embarrass; to block, obstruct”), from Spanish embarazar, either from Italian imbarazzare or from Portuguese embaraçar.