embarrassment
embarrassment Lexical Profile
embarrassment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness experienced in a socially uncomfortable situation.
"His face turned bright red with embarrassment when he realized he had called the professor by the wrong name."
A person or thing that causes a feeling of shame, disgrace, or awkwardness.
"The poorly managed construction project became a major embarrassment for the city council."
A state of difficulty, predicament, or distress, especially regarding financial matters or an overabundance of choices.
"With so many talented applicants for a single position, the hiring committee faced an embarrassment of riches."
• Rhymes for embarrassment
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from French embarrassement, from the verb embarrasser ('to block' or 'to obstruct'), which traces back through Spanish and Italian to a pre-Roman Iberian root *barra meaning 'bar' or 'barrier'.