embarrass

[ɪmˈbæ.ɹəs]

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embarrassing - embarrass

An embarrassment is a feeling or situation that makes someone feel silly, ashamed, or uncomfortable. You might feel embarrassed when you spill something on your new clothes.

When we talk about embarrassing moments, they often involve doing or saying something silly in public. For example, tripping on the sidewalk in front of many people can be embarrassing. Or, if you accidentally say a joke that's not funny to everyone present, it might make you feel embarrassed. You might also get embarrassed when someone corrects you in front of others or points out your mistake publicly.

How common is "embarrass"?

Word embarrass is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to disconcert; to abash
Example: The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.
To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct.
Example: The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.
To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands.
Example: A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.

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