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Definition of embarrassing

embarrassing

/ɪmˈbær.əs.ɪŋ/
em · bar · rass · ing
Adverb:embarrassingly
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embarrassing Lexical Profile

embarrassing Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing a feeling of awkwardness, self-consciousness, or shame.

Example

"Forgetting the guest speaker's name right before the introduction was an embarrassing mistake."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for embarrassing

• Nearby Words

embarrassable
embarrassed
embarrassedly
embarrassing
embarrassingly
embarrassment
embassy

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'embarrass', which entered English in the 17th century via French 'embarrasser', from Spanish 'embarazar' or Portuguese 'embaraçar' (meaning 'to obstruct or impede'), likely derived from a Vulgar Latin root meaning 'a bar or obstacle'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Embarrassing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/embarrassing
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