# abash

/əˈbæʃ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abash
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Senses

### 1. to embarrass or shame

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to make someone feel ashamed or uncomfortable, especially by showing them they are wrong.

For teachers: to disconcert or discomfit someone, typically by provoking a sudden consciousness of error, inferiority, or guilt.

- The student was abashed when the teacher pointed out his mistake in front of the whole class.
- He stood abashed by the quiet dignity of her response, realizing that his aggressive questioning had been entirely uncalled for.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this word is rare outside of literature; 'embarrassed' or 'ashamed' are the standard choices for daily communication.

## Examples

- The teacher's sharp comment did not abash the student.
- He was not easily abashed by public criticism, maintaining his composure even when the crowd began to jeer.
- The young poet was momentarily abashed by the presence of so many literary giants, yet he managed to deliver his reading with surprising clarity.

## Usage notes

- Transitive; most frequently encountered as the past participle 'abashed' acting as a predicative adjective.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.