First Known Use: 1672
Dictionary
embarrass
verb em·bar·rass \im-ˈber-əs, -ˈba-rəs\
: to make (someone) feel confused and foolish in front of other people
: to make (a person, group, government, etc.) look foolish in public
Full Definition of EMBARRASS
transitive verb
1
a : to place in doubt, perplexity, or difficulties b : to involve in financial difficulties c : to cause to experience a state of self-conscious distress <bawdy stories embarrassed him>
3
: to make intricate : complicate
4
: to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) <digestion embarrassed by overeating>
intransitive verb
: to become anxiously self-conscious <he embarrasses easily>
— em·bar·rass·able \-ə-sə-bəl\ adjective
See embarrass defined for English-language learners
See embarrass defined for kids
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Examples of EMBARRASS
- Every block billboard, bus stop, or phone booth has his bigger-than-life puss plastered on it, hyping his new movie Me, Myself & Irene. “Look at me. God, I'm everywhere!” [Jim] Carrey actually seems slightly weirded out and embarrassed by his omnipresence. —Josh Wolk, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2000
- They started holding me and kicking me and triple-teaming me. They'd do anything so I wouldn't dunk on 'em. It was so embarrassing for them. —Shaquille O'Neal, Rolling Stone, 25, Nov. 1993
- [+]more
Origin of EMBARRASS
French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, from Portuguese embaraçar, from em- (from Latin in-) + baraça noose
Related to EMBARRASS
- Synonyms
- abash, confound, confuse, discomfit, disconcert, discountenance, faze, fluster, mortify, nonplus, rattle
- Antonyms
- aid, assist, facilitate, help
Synonym Discussion of EMBARRASS
embarrass, discomfit, abash, disconcert, rattle mean to distress by confusing or confounding. embarrass implies some influence that impedes thought, speech, or action <embarrassed to admit that she liked the movie>. discomfit implies a hampering or frustrating accompanied by confusion <hecklers discomfited the speaker>. abash presupposes some initial self-confidence that receives a sudden check, producing shyness, shame, or a feeling of inferiority <abashed by her swift and cutting retort>. disconcert implies an upsetting of equanimity or assurance producing uncertainty or hesitancy <disconcerted by finding so many in attendance>. rattle implies an agitation that impairs thought and judgment <rattled by all the television cameras>.
Rhymes with EMBARRASS
EMBARRASS Defined for Kids
embarrass
verb em·bar·rass \im-ˈber-əs\
em·bar·rassedem·bar·rass·ing
Definition of EMBARRASS for Kids
: to cause to feel confused and foolish in front of other people <Having to dismount to turn the bicycle around was embarrassing … — Beverly Cleary, Ramona Quimby>
Medical Dictionary
embarrass
transitive verb em·bar·rass \im-ˈbar-əs\
Medical Definition of EMBARRASS
: to impair the activity of (a bodily function) or the function of (a bodily part) <digestion embarrassed by overeating>
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